Can you catch narcolepsy

Answer 1

Its' caused by the brains inability to control the sleep/wake cycles. You often have it since childhood, but episodes can occur rarely and therefore very hard to diagnose. It comes from the lack of a neurotransmitter called hypocretin.

It can be caused from head trauma or loss of brain cells, stress and viruses. Narcolepsy would have to be diagnosed by a polysomnograph followed by a MSLT or Multiple Sleep Latency Test. MSTLs are performed during the day time.

Answer 2

Doctors believe that narcolepsy develops during teenage years in most people who have it. There is now a blood test that can be done to determine whether you are predisposed to have narcolepsy.

Answer 3

Insomnia can be caused by stress. If something in your life is bothering you, the problem could be seeping into your subconcious and not allowing you to reach "good sleep". Also, if you have been injured recently, you could be too sore to sleep. It can also be caused by medical conditions.

Answer 4

You really can't "prevent" narcolepsy. It has to derive from two sources however, one of them is genetics. The others could be an auto-immune disease, head trauma, pesticide poisoning, etc.

I would look at your family history, if someone in your family has been diagnosed with narcolepsy, or cataplexy you could develop it. I would also do a self analysis of your condition.


Are you constantly sleepy?


Do you fall asleep quickly while reading, watching television, riding or driving in a car?


Do you have trouble focusing and getting work done?


Those were some of my symptoms, I would wake up after sleeping 9 hours, be up and about for literally an hour and then would need to lay down again for a nap that sometimes lasted up to 6 hours. It was stressful.


Unfortunately there is no cure, but there are treatment options. I am on medication and it works like a dream!


If you think you have it, talk to your doctor about it, and schedule a sleep/day study stat!


Hope this helps!

Answer 5

I have narcolepsy and i get sleep paralysis attacks all the time. It is caused by lucid dreaming and increased stress. I have anemic blood in which i lack iron. So i cant help it. It like demon souls are taking over you, you are conscious and awake, but you feel as if something is sitting on your chest or you cant wake up.

Answer 6

No. Narcolepsy is not contagious.

Answer 7

the chances of having narcolepsy is 1-2%