Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnogogic hallucinations, and an abnormal tendency to pass directly from wakefulness into REM sleep.
Has to be differentiated from sleep apnoea, periodic leg movements and other rarer causes of daytime sleepiness.
Some people, no matter how much they sleep, continue to experience a irresistible need to sleep. People with narcolepsy can fall asleep while at work, talking, and driving a car for example. These "sleep attacks" can last from 30 seconds to more than 30 minutes. They may also experience periods of cataplexy (loss of muscle tone) ranging from a slight buckling at the knees to a complete, "rag doll" limpness throughout the body.
The prevalence of narcolepsy has been calculated at about 0.03% of the general population. Its onset can occur at any time throughout life, but its peek onset is during the teen years. Narcolepsy has been found to be hereditary along with some environmental factors.
Symptoms
Excessive sleepiness
Temporary decrease or loss of muscle control, especially when getting excited
Vivid dream-like images when drifting off to sleep or waking up
Waking up unable to move or talk for a brief time
Test for Narcolepsy
Do you feel like you could sleep for days and still wake up sleepy?
Do you ever collapse or feel weak when laughing?
Do you ever collapse or feel weak when angry?
Are you afraid you may fall asleep while swimming?
Are you afraid you may fall asleep while taking a bath?
Did one of your parents or close relatives have the "sleeping sickness"?
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