

The condition often begins in childhood, with males and females being affected equally. Įstimates of frequency range from 0.2 to 600 per 100,000 people in various countries. Tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may improve cataplexy. While initially effective, tolerance to the benefits may develop over time. Medications used include modafinil, sodium oxybate and methylphenidate. Lifestyle changes include taking regular short naps and sleep hygiene. While there is no cure, a number of lifestyle changes and medications may help. The accompanying cataplexy may be mistaken for seizures. Excessive daytime sleepiness can also be caused by other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, anemia, heart failure, drinking alcohol and not getting enough sleep. Diagnosis is typically based on the symptoms and sleep studies, after ruling out other potential causes. In rare cases, narcolepsy can be caused by traumatic brain injury, tumors, or other diseases affecting the parts of the brain that regulate wakefulness or REM sleep. Often, those affected have low levels of the neuropeptide orexin, which may be due to an autoimmune disorder triggered in genetically susceptible individuals by infection with H1N1 influenza. In up to 10% of cases, there is a family history of the disorder. Narcolepsy is a clinical syndrome of hypothalamic disorder, however, the exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown, with potentially several causes. People with narcolepsy tend to sleep about the same number of hours per day as people without, but the quality of sleep tends to be lessened. Less commonly, there may be vivid hallucinations or an inability to move ( sleep paralysis) while falling asleep or waking up. These experiences of cataplexy can be brought on by strong emotions. Narcolepsy paired with cataplexy is evidenced to be an autoimmune disorder. About 70% of those affected also experience episodes of sudden loss of muscle strength, known as cataplexy. Symptoms often include periods of excessive daytime sleepiness and brief involuntary sleep episodes. Narcolepsy is a long-term neurological disorder that involves a decreased ability to regulate sleep–wake cycles. Modafinil, sodium oxybate, Wakix, methylphenidate, amphetamine, stimulants, antidepressant Medication, Regular short naps, sleep hygiene

Sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, anemia, heart failure, drinking alcohol, idiopathic hypersomnia, not getting enough sleep Excessive daytime sleepiness, involuntary sleep episodes, sudden loss of muscle strength, hallucinations īased on the symptoms and sleep studies
