Narcolepsy



NarcolepsyFew sleep disorders are as misunderstood as narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes abnormal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep activity. People with narcolepsy are prone to excessive daytime sleepiness, sometimes falling asleep while talking, watching television or performing other tasks.
Narcolepsy affects 1 out of every 2,000 Americans, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2010). Men and women are affected equally, and narcolepsy can be found among people of all ethnic backgrounds.

What Causes Narcolepsy?

Exactly what causes narcolepsy remains unclear. One popular theory is that disorders in REM sleep trigger narcolepsy.
Most people have sleep cycles that begin with non-REM sleep and change to REM sleep after 80 to 100 minutes, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2010). REM sleep is the stage of sleep where people dream. People with narcolepsy often enter REM sleep shortly after falling asleep, which impairs their ability to enter restorative deep sleep stages. This abnormal sleep cycle appears to be what causes narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy Symptoms

Narcolepsy symptoms include daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hallucinations. Narcolepsy symptoms vary from person to person, with each individual exhibiting slightly different symptoms. A wide range of sleep disorders and health conditions mimic narcolepsy symptoms, making a diagnosis of narcolepsy difficult.

Narcolepsy and Cataplexy

Cataplexy occurs when an individual suddenly loses muscle tone, causing weakness or loss of muscle control. Narcolepsy and cataplexy often develop together, with cataplexy symptoms developing in the weeks, months or even years after the onset of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Cataplexy attacks may be relatively mild, lasting only a few seconds, or they can be severe, causing a complete physical collapse. Narcolepsy and cataplexy can be misdiagnosed as seizures due to the loss of muscle control experienced during a cataplexy attack.

What Causes Narcolepsy and Cataplexy?

Cataplexy associated with narcolepsy appears to stem from the same process that causes paralysis during REM sleep. In cases of narcolepsy and cataplexy, this paralysis, intended to prevent people from acting out dreams, occurs during walking hours.
Cataplexy symptoms have specific triggers. Cataplexy maybe triggered by strong emotions. Positive feelings, such as laughing and excitement, are common cataplexy triggers.

Narcolepsy Treatment

Narcolepsy treatment includes lifestyle modifications and medications. Sufferers may need stimulants to stay awake during the day. Antidepressants may help control narcolepsy symptoms such as sleep paralysis, cataplexy and hallucinations because they suppress REM sleep.
Lifestyle changes are an important part of narcolepsy treatment. Narcolepsy may require scheduled naps to counter daytime sleepiness. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and avoiding stimulants before bedtime are narcolepsy treatment options. Getting regular exercise and eating light meals may also be helpful.
Narcolepsy symptoms can cause people with the disorder to suffer from social embarrassment and misunderstandings. Narcolepsy support groups help people deal with the challenges of living with narcolepsy and cataplexy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pernicious Anemia: Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Image
Anemia  is a blood disorder in which the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin is lower than normal. With fewer red blood cells or hemoglobin, insufficient oxygen is delivered to the body 's cells. Pernicious anemia  is a type of anemia caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12. In pernicious anemia, the lack of vitamin B12 is due to the body 's inability to produce enough  intrinsic factor , a protein necessary for the absorption of vitamin B12. Pernicious anemia is a type of  megaloblastic anemia . Megaloblastic anemia is defined as, "a blood disorder characterized by anemia, with red blood cells that are larger than normal, usually resulting from a deficiency of folic acid or of vitamin B12 .  " (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Pernicious anemia by any other name . . . Pernicious anemia is known by a number of other names, including: macrocytic achylic anemia congenital pernicious anemia juvenile pernicious anemia vitamin B12 deficienc
Keep reading

Stress Relaxation Techniques

The ultimate goal in stress coping and management is to reduce the negative effects of stress. Different relaxation techniques have proved successful and can be used based on individual preference. Brief descriptions of various techniques follow. If you are interested in pursuing the use of these techniques further, more information is available in books or on tapes. These books and tapes can be purchased at bookstores or may be accessible at your library. Deep Breating as a Relaxation Technique Deep breathing is the most basic relaxation technique and is often the foundation for other methods. The primary benefit is that deep breathing can be done anywhere and anytime. It is beneficial to practice deep breathing several times a day. The methodology consists of completely filling the lungs when breathing so that the abdomen expands out ward. You begin by taking a deep breath and then exhaling slowly through the mouth. A hand can be placed on the stomach to ensure that it is fully e
Keep reading

Nutrition & Cystic Fibrosis

Image
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the body's exocrine glands, including the various mucus and sweat glands found throughout the body. Since cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease, most people with the disease are usually diagnosed by their first birthday. The most common problems due to cystic fibrosis are related to the lungs and the digestive system. In the lungs, the mucus produced by the various exocrine glands is abnormally thick, creating obstructions in the breathing passageways and, eventually, damage to the lungs. Furthermore, the thick mucus creates an ideal breeding ground for various bacteria and other organisms, which results in frequent lung infections, damage to the lungs and, ultimately, respiratory failure. Cystic fibrosis also affects the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for producing various enzymes to aid in digestion, but in cystic fibrosis the pancreas is unable to excrete sufficient amounts of pancreatic enzymes to help digest foo
Keep reading