Narcolepsy - Symptoms and Causes

If you or someone you know constantly feels tired during the day, and without notice, may even fall asleep right in the middle of doing everyday tasks such as cooking or typing, these symptoms could be an indication of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a frequently misdiagnosed sleep disorder. While others might attribute the symptoms as resulting from laziness or poor sleeping habits, to the affected individual, the symptoms are very real, they're uncontrollable, and they can be very frightening.

The symptoms of narcolepsy rarely begin after a person reaches age 40. Most often (but not always), they begin appearing between ages 10 and 25.

The primary symptom of narcolepsy is persistent daytime tiredness that does not subside no matter how much sleep the affected individual gets. The constant tired feeling makes concentration difficult and can keep an individual from functioning as needed. This in itself is a problem, however those who experience another symptom of narcolepsy – the propensity to suddenly fall asleep - compounds the situation.

What makes falling asleep so serious is that it happens without warning, which means the affected individual has no time in advance to prepare for sleep. In other words, getting to a safe place to lie down isn't an option. It's not bad if the sleep attack occurs while talking with friends. In fact, many people find this amusing. However, if the person is driving a car when this symptom strikes, the repercussions can be deadly.

The amount of time spent sleeping during these episodes can range from just a few minutes to 30 minutes or longer. Once awakened, the attacks can repeat several times throughout the day. Some experience automatic behavior during these episodes meaning that they continue doing the task they were performing (although poorly) just prior to falling asleep. Afterwards, however, there is no recollection of this behavior

Cataplexy is another symptom that is experienced by almost three-quarters of narcolepsy sufferers. Cataplexy is an inability to control muscles so someone with this symptom might have trouble speaking clearly or worse, he or she might barely be able to control muscle function at all. Some experience this symptom daily while others experience it very rarely. Its onset seems to be linked with a change in emotions such as when a person laughs excessively or when the person becomes scared or angry.

Paralysis similar to that which normally takes place during REM sleep is yet another symptom of narcolepsy. But rather than taking place during REM, this brief paralysis occurs either upon awakening or while falling asleep. Even though a person may be fully aware of this brief inability to move or speak, that person is totally unable to control it, which can be very scary.

Hypnagogic hallucinations – vivid, almost real images that appear while in a semi-awake state – are another symptom that approximately one-quarter to one-half of narcolepsy sufferers experience.

To date no one is certain what causes narcolepsy. It appears genetics plays some role as does an abnormally low amount (or total absence) of a brain chemical important for regulating sleep awakening called hypocretin.