When you consider that, during REM sleep our muscles are paralyzed and dreaming occurs, it is not surprising that narcolepsy is associated with paralysis, hallucinations, and other dream-like and debilitating symptoms. For people with narcolepsy, sleep begins almost immediately with REM sleep and fragments of REM may occur involuntarily throughout the waking hours. After about 90 minutes, we enter the first stage of REM sleep, which is the dreaming portion of sleep, and throughout the night we alternate between stages of REM and non-REM sleep. Both light and deep sleep stages are called non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. When we fall asleep, we initially enter a light stage of sleep and then progress into increasingly deeper stages. In order to understand the basics of narcolepsy, it is important to first review the features of “normal sleep.” Sleep happens in cycles. However, with increased public education about narcolepsy and physician training in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, these figures are expected to rise. Its prevalence in the developed world is approximately the same as that of multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. The disease is often associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, dream-like hallucinations, and a condition called sleep paralysis. ![]() They can also put you in touch with narcolepsy organisations or support groups, such as Narcolepsy UK.Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. They can advise you about how to minimise the effect narcolepsy has on your daily life. Speak to a GP if you have narcolepsy and it's making you feel low or depressed. automatic behaviour – continuing with an activity without having any recollection of it afterwards.restless sleep – for example, having hot flushes, waking up frequently, having vivid nightmares, or physically acting out dreams.hallucinations – seeing or hearing things that are not real, particularly when going to sleep or waking up a presence in the bedroom is the most commonly reported hallucination.Narcolepsy can also cause a number of other symptoms, including: Although sleep paralysis does not cause any harm, being unable to move can be frightening. The episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes. This is a temporary inability to move or speak that occurs when waking up or falling asleep. ![]() Some people with narcolepsy experience episodes of sleep paralysis. Some people with narcolepsy have cataplexy attacks once or twice a year, while others have them several times a day. ![]() double vision or finding it difficult to focusĬataplexy attacks are usually triggered by an emotion, such as excitement, laughter, anger or surprise.Īttacks can last from a few seconds to several minutes.Most people who have narcolepsy also experience cataplexy, which is sudden temporary muscle weakness or loss of muscular control. If narcolepsy is not well controlled, sleep attacks may happen several times a day. Some people will only have "microsleeps" lasting a few seconds, whereas others may fall asleep for several minutes. The length of time a sleep attack lasts will vary from person to person. Sleep attacks, where you fall asleep suddenly and without warning, are also common in people with narcolepsy. People with narcolepsy may be misjudged as being lazy or rude. It can have a significant impact on everyday life.įeeling drowsy throughout the day and struggling to stay awake makes it difficult to concentrate at work or school. Excessive daytime sleepinessĮxcessive daytime sleepiness is usually the first sign of narcolepsy. If necessary, you'll be referred to a sleep disorder specialist, who can confirm the diagnosis.įind out more about diagnosing narcolepsy. You should see a GP if you think you may have narcolepsy so they can find out what's causing your symptoms. Symptoms may develop slowly over a number of years, or suddenly over the course of a few weeks. Narcolepsy is usually a long-term (chronic) condition. Some people have symptoms regularly, while others are less frequently affected. Not everyone with narcolepsy has the same symptoms.
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