What Causes Narcolepsy, Narcoleptic Sleepy Symptoms, Treatment for Cataplexy and Sleepiness

Narcolepsy is an incurable chronic sleep disorder marked by daytime sleepiness and involuntary periods of sleep. These sleepy causes are a narcoleptic’s brain’s incapacity to control sleep/wake circuits regularly. The root cause of narcolepsy is unknown. As such, there is no cure.

Throughout a narcoleptic’s day, they are struck by numerous fleeting sleep urges. And sometimes they do fall asleep, anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

In addition to excessive daytime sleepiness, symptoms that are frequently experienced include:

  • vivid hallucinations
  • brief total paralysis episodes
  • cataplexy ~ sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone

The most dangerous health aspect of narcolepsy is the cataplexy symptom, as this creates a major personal safety concern. There are drugs that effectively treat cataplexy and the excessive daytime sleepiness, none without some form of side effect.

In addition to drug therapy, there are recommended behavioral adjustments for treatment, like:

  • maintaining a regular sleep schedule
  • avoid alcohol/caffeine before bedtime
  • regularly scheduled naps at the times when typically feel the sleepiest
  • improved quality of nighttime sleep to battle daytime sleepiness and fatigue

Presently, those with narcolepsy have no treatment option that consistently maintains a normal state of alertness.

Other thoughts on the subject:

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