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The major symptoms of narcolepsy include Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS), Cataplexy (a loss of muscle tone as an effect of emotion), and sometimes disturbed nighttime sleep.
Persons with Narcolepsy may also experience dreaming while awake (sleep hallucinations), sleep paralysis (a temporary inability to move after waking up), and falling asleep at inappropriate times and in inappropriate situations.
Narcolepsy is diagnosed by a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT).
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Is narcolepsy curable?
Not at this time, no. However, there are medications that can help with the symptoms.
Is Narcolepsy a disease?
In about 8-12% of cases, people diagnosed with narcolepsy know of other family members with similar symptoms. Most people with the condition have no family members with narcolepsy.
Can excess use of xanax cause narcolepsy?
The use of Xanax absolutely does not cause narcolepsy, though severe drowsiness may be common in some who use this medication. Narcolepsy is an irreversible life-long condition which is a REM sleep disorder - the major symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis and cataplexy - though not all four of the major symptoms are experienced by all narcoleptics. Research in recent years has suggested narcolepsy is predominantly experienced in those who have autoimmune destruction of the hypothalamic protein, orexin/hypocretin. Xanax absolutely does not "cause" narcolepsy, and merely produces symptoms of sleepiness as a possible side effect which are resolved when the medication wears off. A better explanation for this symptom is to say "Xanax made me drowsy." It is ill-advised and potentially insulting to those who do have a narcolepsy diagnosis to claim to develop a chronic, life-long condition rather than accurately state you experienced adverse drug effects.
How does narcolepsy present?
Narcolepsy typically presents with excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations during falling asleep or waking up. It can also involve sudden sleep attacks or episodes of microsleep.
What are some of the common symptoms of Narcolepsy?
Some common symptoms of Narcolepsy include the loss of muscle control, hallucinating, being unable to move when falling asleep or waking and rapidly going into REM sleep. One should contact a doctor if they have any of those symptoms.
When does narcolepsy present?
Narcolepsy typically presents in adolescence or early adulthood, although it can occur at any age. Symptoms may develop gradually over time or suddenly. Common signs include excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
What is wrong with an adult that has total lack of conscience spells and dead like symptoms?
you're probably dealing with narcolepsy
Is narcolepsy a hereditary disease?
One of the causes of narcolepsy is a genetic mutation. (Neurological Disorder)For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (Answers.com) indicated at the bottom of this answer box.
Is Narcolepsy progressive?
Yes, Narcolepsy is a progressive disorder. The pace of the progression depends on the individual. Some people will see more narcoleptic symptoms over the course of years while some will see them in only a few months.
Who was the first person to have narcolepsy?
The first convincing descriptions of narcolepsy-cataplexy were reported in Germany by Westphal (1877) and Fisher (1878). The unique association of episodes of muscle weakness triggered by excitement and sleepiness were described in these two reports. In both cases, hereditary factors were noted, with the mother of Westphal's patient and one sister of Fisher's patient presenting narcolepsy symptoms
Is there a cure for narcolepsy?
Patients can be treated with amphetamine-like stimulant drugs (Dexedrine) to control drowsiness and sleep attacks. The symptoms of abnormal REM sleep (cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations) are treated with antidepressants.
Involuntary episodes of falling asleep during the daytime while engaged in activity?
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) or Narcolepsy
