Narcolepsy (Pediatric & Adult)
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.
Narcolepsy is a rare chronic brain condition characterized by sudden attacks of sleep at inappropriate times.
Facts about Narcolepsy
- Approximately 1 in 2,000 Americans have narcolepsy.
- The main symptom of the disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Symptoms begin to occur between the ages of 10 and 30.
- Narcolepsy can be treated with medications and lifestyle modifications.
- Narcolepsy does not cause serious or long-term physical health problems, but it can greatly affect daily activities. People with narcolepsy experience a wide range of emotional difficulties.
Symptoms of Narcolepsy
Sleep Attacks
Sleep attacks involve falling asleep suddenly and without warning. These periods can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Cataplexy
It refers to sudden muscle weakness in the face, neck, and knees. Some people experience mild weakness, such as a head or jaw drop, but in other cases, they may collapse to the ground. Cataplexy is usually triggered by strong emotions such as surprise, laughter, or anger. Cataplectic attacks are short in duration, lasting less than 2 minutes.
Sleep Paralysis
Many people who have narcolepsy also experience sleep paralysis. It is characterized by a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.
The episodes can last from a few seconds up to several minutes. While sleep paralysis does not cause any physical harm, not being able to move can be scary.
Other Symptoms of Narcolepsy
- hallucinations, especially when falling asleep
- memory problems
- headaches
- restless sleep — for example, hot flashes, frequent awakenings, vivid nightmares
- depression
Causes of Narcolepsy
The exact causes of narcolepsy remain unclear. The majority of experts suggest that narcolepsy is caused by a lack of a specific brain chemical, which regulates the processes of falling asleep and waking up. There is a number of factors that contribute to the condition, including brain injuries, severe infections, exhaustion, and autoimmune disorders.
Clinical Features of Childhood Narcolepsy
The onset of narcolepsy generally occurs by 5 years of age. Symptoms of narcolepsy in children can vary from those seen in adults.
- Increased irritability and hyperactivity when daytime sleepiness is not intense.
- Cataplexy (uncontrollable muscle weakness) manifests with facial muscle involvement, mouth opening, head dropping, or tongue protrusion.
- Daytime sleepiness takes the form of typical drowsiness.
- Prevalence of overweight/obesity.
- Hallucinations and sleep paralysis may be absent or hard to detect.
Prognosis for Narcolepsy
There is currently no cure for narcolepsy. If you want to improve the quality of life and relieve the symptoms of the disease, you should see your doctor more frequently, follow a regular sleep-wake schedule and take prescribed medications.