Narcolepsy
Overview
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that leads to excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden onset of sleep. Often times, patients will have complete loss of muscle tone that leads to muscle weakness. Patients may describe vivid dreams or hallucinations when falling asleep or when awakening. Narcolepsy usually begins in the teens and twenties but occasionally as early as the age of five or after forty.
Causes
- Exact cause unknown
- May be due to chemical imbalance in the brain (low hypocretin levels)
- Genetics (20 – 40X higher risk with family history)
Symptoms
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sudden onset of muscle weakness usually triggered by strong emotions
- Vivid hallucinations while falling asleep or upon awakening
- Inability to move immediately after awakening
Diagnosis
- Sleep history and physical examination
- Epworth sleepiness score
- Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
- Sleep study
Treatment
- Non-pharmacologic (scheduled napping, avoidance of certain drugs, psychosocial support group)
- Pharmacologic (stimulants, antidepressants)
- Lifestyle (good sleep hygiene, avoiding alcohol
Patient Resources and Education