Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects patient’s ability to wake and sleep.People with narcolepsy have irresistible desire to sleep at day time.They may also suddenly fall asleep at any time , during any type of activity.
Narcolepsy affects less than one percent of men and women, typically appearing in teens and young adults and then persisting for lifetime.
Signs of Narcolepsy-
We can remember the signs of narcolepsy by simple pnemonic – CHESS
C– CATAPLEXY
H– HALLUCINATIONS
E– EXCESSIVE DAY TIME SLEEP
S– SLEEP PARALYSIS
S– SLEEP DISRUPTION
CATAPLEXY:-
Sudden general loss of muscle tone for short period of time( like for less than 2 minutes) with retained consciousness.It is usually triggered by anger,laughter,etc strong mental emotions.
HALLUCINATIONS:-
Hypnagogic hallucinations are extreme severe type of hallucinations in which patient feels as of some real experience is happening while the patient is in a sleep.The patient experience like someone is just squeezing the testicles or someone is killing the patient with knife but these are just dreams which are felt to be real by the patient.Also patient tries to shout during sleep but fails to do so as he is in sleep paralysis.
When these hallucinations occurs while waking up then are called as Hypnopompic hallucinations.
Excessive day time sleep:-
Patient is unable to control his sleep at day time no matter what activity he is performing but the only thing he needs is a sleep.Excessive day-time sleepiness is the cardinal symptom of narcolepsy and often the most disabling.
Sleep paralysis:-
It is the disturbing, temporary inability to move voluntary muscles or speak during sleep wake transitions.It is often accompanied by hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucination.
Sleep disruption:-
It is basically disrupted night-time sleep,resulting into poor quality of sleep.Because narcolepsy is a disorder of sleep wake state instability,many patients commonly report disruption of night-time sleep.
Risk groups for narcolepsy
•Narcolepsy affects both men and women,with a slightly higher risk among men.
•Onset tends to occur between the ages of 15 and 25 years.
•There appears a genetic link, but families that have more than two members with narcolepsy are extremely rare.
Types of narcolepsy
∆ Narcolepsy with cataplexy
∆ Narcolepsy without cataplexy
Treatment for narcolepsy
Lifestyle changes can help to manage the symptoms.Like maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and planning to take short naps during day.Also medical treatment includes drugs like-
Modafinil
Amphetamines
GHB
Anticataplectic drugs
Contributor- Medico Anant Singh Nanda
