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Narcolepsy

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a brain disorder that disrupts your brain's normal sleep-wake cycle. You get strong urges to sleep at odd times of the day and suffer from severe daytime sleepiness—even if you are well-rested. You may find it difficult to concentrate and may fall asleep without meaning to for several seconds or minutes.

Other narcolepsy symptoms include:

• sudden loss of muscle tone. This may involve some or all your body's muscles. You may even collapse. Strong emotions such as fear or laughter often trigger loss of muscle tone.
• being unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.
• hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) when falling asleep or waking up.

It can take many years after symptoms first start before a person finds out that he or she has narcolepsy. One reason is that many people do not know about the disorder and do not tell their doctors about their symptoms.

The cause of narcolepsy is not known, although genes seem to play a role. Narcolepsy cannot yet be cured. But there are medicines that can help control the sleepiness and loss of muscle tension.

If you have narcolepsy, getting the right medicines to control your symptoms is important in order to prevent accidents. Falling asleep or losing muscle control at the wrong time, such as when you're driving or walking down stairs, can lead to serious injury or death.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep - This publication offers information about sleep, amount of sleep needed, sleep disorders, and additional information.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm

2.   Narcolepsy Fact Sheet - This fact sheet discusses symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options available for people with Narcolepsy.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm

3.   NINDS Narcolepsy Information Page - This on-line publication about Narcolepsy contains information on the treatment, prognosis, and research being done. Narcolepsy is a disabling neurological disorder of sleep regulation that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness.

   http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/narcolep_doc.htm

4. Narcolepsy and Pregnancy (Copyright © National Sleep Foundation) - This article describes the issues surrounding narcolepsy and pregnancy, including taking medications while pregnant.

   http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2464493/apps/nl/content3.asp?...

5. Sleepiness Diary (Copyright © NSF) - From the National Sleep Foundation: This interactive diary will help you record your sleep habits and experiences so that you and your physician can help identify patterns and conditions that might be interfering with your ability to get a good night's sleep.

   http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2419099/k.9DD7/Sleepiness_Dia...

Organizations

1.   National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, NHLBI, NIH, HHS
2.   National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, HHS
3. Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research
4. Narcolepsy Network, Inc.
5. National Sleep Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.