Understanding narcolepsy—what it is and how it manifests—is important. This condition is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the regulation of sleep and wakefulness.
People with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden episodes of sleep that can occur at any time, even while performing activities such as working, driving, or talking.
This condition is associated with a dysfunction in the regulation of the sleep cycle, particularly the REM stage, which is the stage of rapid eye movement.
Narcolepsy symptoms
Narcolepsy symptoms may appear in different ways and with varying intensity.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness: this is the most predominant symptom of narcolepsy; people feel an uncontrollable need to sleep during the day, which can interfere with daily activities.
- Cataplexy: sudden loss of muscle tone that can cause weakness or even falls; this symptom is often triggered by strong emotions ranging from laughter to fear.
- Sleep paralysis: both upon waking and when falling asleep, people may experience a temporary inability to move or speak; the perception of this can be frightening.
- Hallucinations: hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations may occur; these are vivid sensory experiences—visual, auditory, or tactile—that happen at the onset of sleep or upon awakening.
- Fragmented nighttime sleep: people with narcolepsy often have difficulty maintaining continuous nighttime sleep due to frequent awakenings.
Symptoms of narcolepsy can begin in childhood or adolescence; however, due to lack of recognition of the condition, diagnosis often occurs years later.
Narcolepsy, treatment
Although narcolepsy is a disease with no cure, there are treatments available today that help manage symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.
Therapeutic strategies include:
- Pharmacological treatment: medications are used to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness, and others may be prescribed to control cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
- Lifestyle changes: several measures can be taken, such as taking short, planned naps throughout the day to reduce sleepiness; maintaining consistent sleep and wake schedules to improve nighttime sleep; following a balanced diet; and engaging in regular physical activity to help manage energy levels. Reducing consumption of triggers such as caffeine, alcohol, or other substances that may disrupt sleep is also recommended.
Narcolepsy can significantly affect patients’ quality of life and their environment. Psychological and social support is essential, so participation in support groups or psychological therapy may be beneficial to manage the emotional impact of this condition.
Excessive sleepiness as a symptom of illness
Feeling excessively sleepy may indeed be a symptom of an illness, not only narcolepsy. Among the most common causes are:
- Sleep apnea: a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, which interrupts its quality and can cause daytime sleepiness.
- Chronic insomnia: difficulty falling or staying asleep can lead to chronic sleep deprivation.
- Depression: mood disorders may be associated with increased sleepiness or fatigue.
- Medication use: some medications may cause drowsiness as a side effect.
- Other illnesses: the presence of certain diseases may cause sleepiness either due to the strain the condition places on the body or because of the work the body does to fight the illness.
While excessive sleepiness is not always indicative of narcolepsy or another illness, it is important to seek medical evaluation to obtain a proper diagnosis and treatment for the underlying causes of this sensation.
Narcolepsy is a complex sleep disorder that affects the lives of those who suffer from it; therefore, recognizing its symptoms is essential to seek early diagnosis and treatment.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Neurology Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes
NIH, MSD Manuals, Secretaría de Salud
