Narcolepsy, A Neurological Disorder

Narcolepsy is a rare chronic neurological disorder affecting brain’s inability to regulate sleep wake cycles normally and those suffering from narcolepsy tend to experience excessive day time sleepiness, falling asleep at inappropriate times.

People with narcolepsy experience irresistible bout of sleep even during daytime wherein the individual may fall asleep for periods lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. They tend to experience sudden loss of temporary muscle control, like laughter and anger, triggered by strong emotions resulting in falling asleep while working, cooking or even driving.

Many instances of narcolepsy are known to be the result of autoimmune system wherein the antibodies, infection fighting proteins are released by the body and instead of destroying the disease carrying toxins and organisms, they tend to destroy healthy cells and tissue. The antibodies attack areas of the brain which produces sleep regulating chemical known as orexin or hypocretin which leads to a deficiency of orexin causing narcolepsy.

Symptoms occur between the age of 10 and 25

Most people experience their first signs of narcolepsy between the age of 10 and 25 though the symptoms may vary from person to person, the main symptom being excessive daytime sleepiness and abnormal REM (rapid eye movement) sleep.

Various other symptoms of narcolepsy related to abnormal REM sleep may include hallucinations, sleep paralysis and cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control. Most common narcolepsy symptoms being excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy are connected to the emotional state wherein the person may show signs of these symptoms when they experience intense emotions like laughter, frustration or surprise.

To correctly diagnose narcolepsy, a visit to the physician is essential where a medical and family history will be examined together with the sleeping habits and symptoms. Other tests may also be carried out in helping to identify other underlying conditions which could be the cause of excessive daytime sleepiness and if suffering from narcolepsy, the person would be referred to a sleep disorder specialist for in-depth analysis of the person’s sleep pattern.

Adopting Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Though no cure exists for narcolepsy, various treatments could help to control the symptoms enabling the person to live a normal life. These treatments would be based on the ones best suited according to the narcolepsy symptoms which may include a combination of medication, counseling and lifestyle changes.

None of the currently available medications could help people with narcolepsy to fully maintain a normal state of alertness but symptoms like EDS and cataplexy the most disabling of this disorder, can be controlled with drug treatment which can tend to change depending as the symptom changes. Adopting healthy lifestyle changes could also be of immense help to handle narcolepsy symptoms together with support and counseling with other recommendation from the physician.

Exercises during the day followed by the right diet, managing stress, could play a very important role in maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle and the most important schedule to follow is to maintain a regular sleep schedule with relaxing bedtime routine. Self help is the best help and in combining the various self help treatments could help to improve daytime alertness thereby help in reducing the symptoms of narcolepsy.