Narcolepsy is experienced by 200,000 people in the United States. Only 50,000 people are diagnosed with this sleeping disorder every year. Its prevalence is 1 per 2000 persons. Unfortunately, in most of the cases, there is a gap of 15 years on average between the onset and diagnosis of the disorder.
This wide gap increases the complications associated with the condition largely. It is common in both men and women. This article tries to gain further insight on this topic.
What is Narcolepsy?
It is a chronic neurological disorder associated with sleeping. A person suffering from it experiences fatigue and falls asleep at inappropriate times. Rapid eye movements are natural to happen when we fall asleep. It takes 90 minutes to experience this in normal people. But in people suffering from this disorder, it commences within 10 minutes of falling asleep.
These people also experience a condition known as cataplexy. It involves weakness in the muscles caused suddenly by strong emotions. The origin of the disease is related to genetic abnormalities.
Symptoms:
- Napping
- Drowsiness
- Falling asleep at work
- Frequent night walking
- Tossing and turning
- Nightmares
- Disturbed nighttime sleep
- Sleep paralysis
- Hallucinations when drowsy
- Frequent awakenings
- Obesity
- Leg jerks during sleep
- Slurred speech
Diagnosis:
It is easy to find this disorder when the patient is found to have the above mentioned signs. But if cataplexy is mild or absent, the diagnosis is difficult. Sleep specialists use techniques like polysomnogram and multiple sleep latency test to detect the signs of the disorder.
Treatment:
Intake of oral medicines combined with certain life style changes can treat this condition. The symptoms can be kept under check by the methods. However, complete immunity from them cannot be assured.
Drugs which stimulate the central nervous system are the main treatment options for excessive daytime sleepiness. Some of these drugs are racemic-amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, modafinil , dextroamphetamine.
Cataplexy is treated with antidepressants like protriptyline, imipramine and clomipramine. Xyrum is the only approved drug for treating both the signs of narcolepsy.
Taking frequent naps for two to three times, each lasting for 10-15 minutes can be beneficial in treating excessive daytime sleepiness. Communication on the daily-basis between doctor, patient and the family members is essential for managing this disorder.
