Do You Have Narcolepsy Symptoms?

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 • by Dr. Gregory Brown

The symptoms of narcolepsy vary from individual to individual. While some folks experience one particular symptom of this disorder, someone else may suffer another sign of narcolepsy, or sometimes several all at once.

It is important to consult with a doctor experienced in sleep disorders, or to visit a sleep clinic. Sleeping sickness symptoms can be identified as weak or strong, and how they affect each sufferer varies as well.

Sleeping Sickness

The primary narcolepsy symptom is falling asleep without notice at unpredictable times of the day or night. This sudden lack of consciousness without warning is why narcolepsy is also known as the “sleeping sickness.”

Narcolepsy is not related to how fatigued a person is feeling. When an individual suddenly dozes off, it is because their brain has gone from its waking state into its dream cycle.

This sudden and unexpected lack of consciousness is only one symptom of this unusual sleep disorder. There are other indications and manifestations of narcolepsy and while some folks may not display any of these, others show some or even most of them.

Cataplexy

Another of these narcolepsy symptoms is known as cataplexy. This occurs when the body suddenly loses all of its muscle tone. Cataplexy can happen at absolutely anytime, regardless of what the sufferer is doing. A person in a state of cataplexy cannot move their body at all.

Fortunately, an attack of cataplexy doesn’t last very long. After the passage of several minutes, the person usually returns to normal. The dangers of cataplexy happen when the person is involved in a risky or potentially dangerous activity. That’s why people who have narcolepsy with cataplexy are not allowed to do things like drive a car or operate machinery.

Sleep Paralysis

Another symptom of sleeping sicknesss is temporary paralysis. This happens when without warning an individual suddenly cannot move their body even while fully awake. The state of sleep paralysis occurs most often while in a deep sleep or when on the verge of waking up.

Hypnagogic Hallucinations

Vivid hallucinations may also afflict individuals with narcolepsy. Because they seem so real, these hallucinations are very scary to folks with this type of sleeping sickness. Hypnagogic hallucinations are thought to occur in up to fifty percent of people suffering from narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy Treatments

Unfortunately, there are not many treatments for this sleep disorder yet, due primarily to a lack of scientific research. However, there are still some steps a narcolepsy sufferer can take to try to cure or at least mitigate its debilitating effects.

A multifaceted approach to narcolepsy treatment seems to be the most effective for persons suffering from this disorder. Narcolepsy medication in conjunction with other treatments will attempt to re-program the brain and its sleeping patterns.

The goal is to reset the brain’s “sleep switch” to get it to follow normal sleep patterns. This will require professional help, and sleep centers that are staffed with sleep doctors and the latest medical technology can help a person to understand and overcome narcolepsy – and once again live a normal life.