Overview
Narcolepsy is a condition which affects the neurological system which disrupts the brain's ability to control the sleep-wake cycle. People with this condition usually feel very sleepy throughout the day.Signs and Symptoms
Excessive daytime sleepiness, Sudden loss of muscle tone, Sleep paralysis, Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, HallucinationsCommon Causes
Genetic FactorRisk Factors
Autoimmune disorders, Brain injuries, Age- Narcolepsy typically begins in people between 10 and 30 years old, Family history- Your risk of narcolepsy is 20 to 40 times higher if you have a family member who has narcolepsy.Investigation Techniques
Sleep history, Sleep records, Polysomnography, Multiple sleep latency testTreatment and Prevention
Stimulants, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Tricyclic antidepressants, Sodium oxybate (Xyrem)
