
What are the 5 symptoms of narcolepsy?
They include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime. ...
- Sudden loss of muscle tone. ...
- Sleep paralysis. ...
- Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. ...
- Hallucinations. ...
How do I know if I have narcolepsy?
- If you have narcolepsy, you will likely fall asleep suddenly during the day.
- You may also experience cataplexy, or the sudden loss of voluntary muscle control, which can lead to slurred speech or fainting.
- Here's how to know if you have narcolepsy and what you can do to treat this rare condition.
What are types of narcolepsy?
Types of Narcolepsy: What Are the Differences?
- Type 1 narcolepsy. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is known as narcolepsy type 1. ...
- Type 2 narcolepsy. Type 2 narcolepsy was previously called narcolepsy without cataplexy. ...
- Treatments. ...
- Next steps. ...
What can cause narcolepsy?
What Causes Narcolepsy?
- Biological Changes in Narcolepsy. Type 1 narcolepsy, characterized by the symptom of cataplexy, has been linked to low levels of a substance in the brain referred to both as hypocretin ...
- Risk Factors for Narcolepsy. ...
- Causes of Secondary Narcolepsy. ...

What are the 5 signs of narcolepsy?
There are 5 main symptoms of narcolepsy, referred to by the acronym CHESS (Cataplexy, Hallucinations, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Sleep paralysis, Sleep disruption). While all patients with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, they may not experience all 5 symptoms.
How does a person with narcolepsy act?
While individuals with narcolepsy are very sleepy during the day, they usually also experience difficulties staying asleep at night. Sleep may be disrupted by insomnia, vivid dreaming, sleep apnea, acting out while dreaming, and periodic leg movements. Automatic behaviors.
What are the types of narcolepsy?
There are two main types of narcolepsy: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 narcolepsy used to be known as “narcolepsy with cataplexy.” Type 2 used to be called “narcolepsy withoutcataplexy.” In very rare cases, a person may develop another type of narcolepsy known as secondary narcolepsy.
What can trigger narcolepsy?
Possible triggersan inherited genetic fault.hormonal changes, including those that take place during puberty or the menopause.major psychological stress.a sudden change in sleep patterns.an infection, such as swine flu or a streptococcal infection.having the flu vaccine Pandemrix.
What can be mistaken for narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that can have similar symptoms, including:Depression.Anxiety.Other psychologic/psychiatric disorders.Insomnia.Obstructive sleep apnea.
Who is at risk for narcolepsy?
Your family history or environment can raise your risk of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy may also occur after an upper airway infection or, rarely, because of a head injury, sarcoidosis, a stroke, or another medical condition.
How long do narcoleptics sleep?
A person with narcolepsy usually has the condition for life. All people with narcolepsy have extreme levels of sleepiness during the day, but how this shows itself can differ. For instance, some people with narcolepsy might fall asleep for 10 to 20 minutes several times every day, whether they want to or not.
What does mild narcolepsy look like?
There are specific signs that point to narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness. Many people with narcolepsy are unable to stay awake and alert during the day. There are times when they have an irrepressible need for sleep, or unintended lapses into sleep.
Where is narcolepsy most common?
Frequency. Narcolepsy affects about 1 in 2,000 people in the United States and Western Europe. However, the disorder is likely underdiagnosed, particularly in people with mild symptoms. Worldwide, narcolepsy appears to be most common in Japan, where it affects an estimated 1 in 600 people.
What foods should be avoided with narcolepsy?
Beware the Sugar Crash. That afternoon soda may be tempting, but it's important to be mindful of your sugar intake when you're dealing with narcolepsy. “My general recommendation is to avoid highly processed sugars and sweets that can lead to 'sugar crashes,'” says Dr. Wu.
Can narcoleptics drive?
A person should not drive once a diagnosis of narcolepsy has been made until: There is a satisfactory response to treatment, and clearance is given by an appropriate specialist, or.
What is the best medication for narcolepsy?
Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system are the primary treatment to help people with narcolepsy stay awake during the day. Doctors often try modafinil (Provigil) or armodafinil (Nuvigil) first for narcolepsy.
Which symptoms does the nurse expect to find in a patient with narcolepsy?
Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy and sleep paralysis. Many medications are available to treat narcolepsy.
Do I have narcolepsy or am I just tired?
Excessive daytime sleepiness is usually the first sign of narcolepsy. It can have a significant impact on everyday life. Feeling drowsy throughout the day and struggling to stay awake makes it difficult to concentrate at work or school. People with narcolepsy may be misjudged as being lazy or rude.
What is Type 2 narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy type 2 (narcolepsy without cataplexy) is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and abnormal manifestations of REM sleep on polysomnography and multiple sleep latency testing. Cataplexy is absent.
How do you test for narcolepsy at home?
A home sleep test cannot detect narcolepsy HSATs/HSTs do not screen for narcolepsy, and, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, should not even be used to check for sleep apnea in children or in people who may have other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy.
What Is Narcolepsy?
Types
How Common Is Narcolepsy?
Symptoms
What Are The Effects of Narcolepsy?
- The signs and symptoms of narcolepsy may worsen for the first few years and then continue for life. They include: 1. Excessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime. For example, you may be working or talking with friends and sudde…
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatments