Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder in which the brain is unable to regulate the body’s sleep, resulting in attacks of daytime sleepiness, fragmented nighttime sleeping, and other forms of sleep disruption. A narcolepsy sleep attack can occur at any time or place, often without warning, which can make it extremely dangerous for those suffering from the condition to perform basic tasks such as driving, swimming, or even crossing the street. Narcolepsy is a chronic condition with no known cure; however, individuals with narcolepsy who receive an effective diagnosis and treatment can resolve or adequately control their symptoms, returning them to work and play.

Signs of Narcolepsy

Symptoms of narcolepsy can have serious consequences for daily living. Left unaddressed or unrecognized, symptoms of narcolepsy could lead to difficulty concentrating, daytime sleepiness, mental health problems, and more. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, common symptoms of narcolepsy include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)

Often a symptom of sleep disorders, EDS is the unfortunate consequence of disrupted sleep that can occur for those with conditions like narcolepsy. This common symptom of narcolepsy is characterized by intense lethargy that can vary in severity. Those with serious forms of EDS may experience a “sleep attack,” which refers to a sudden, intense need to sleep that is difficult to cognitively override.

• Cataplexy

Cataplexy refers to a sudden, temporary, and involuntary muscle weakness, often brought on by a moment of intense emotion such as laughter, crying, anger, or terror. During cataplexy, you may experience slurred speech, slackened facial muscles, leg collapse, double vision, inability to keep your head up, and other symptoms relating to muscle weakness. Unlike fainting or seizure disorders, individuals remain conscious during an attack of cataplexy.

• Sleep paralysis

Sleep paralysis refers to the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. Similar to cataplexy, sleep paralysis impacts voluntary muscle activity. For some, sleep paralysis is accompanied by vivid hallucinations that can be auditory, tactile, or visual.

• Fragmented sleep

Fragmented sleep refers to disturbances during the normal sleep cycle, resulting in a disrupted circadian rhythm and poor sleep. Those with fragmented sleep experience tiredness throughout the day and have trouble staying asleep at night. Many things can cause fragmented sleep, such as insomnia, restless legs, nightmares, sleep apnea, and more.

• Insomnia

Insomnia is a very common form of fragmented sleep in which it’s difficult to fall or stay asleep. Those with insomnia often feel tired or moody during waking hours as a result of their sleeplessness.

• REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a condition in which the body doesn’t “go to sleep” during dreaming. When we sleep, our bodies usually become immobile, preventing us from acting out in our sleep. Those with RBD can move while they dream, leading to talking, shouting, kicking, punching, and more. Oftentimes, those with the

Causes of Narcolepsy

While some research suggests that low levels of hypocretin, a chemical in the brain that manages sleep, plays a role in narcolepsy, the actual cause of narcolepsy remains relatively unknown. Certain factors may increase your risk for developing the condition, including genetics, brain injury, and autoimmune conditions, but they do not guarantee an individual will develop the condition.

Diagnosing Narcolepsy

Sleep disorders often affect every area of our health. Unfortunately for some, especially children or adolescents, signs of narcolepsy can be dismissed as laziness, behavioral health issues, or other neurologic conditions. Diagnosing narcolepsy can help individuals get started managing their symptoms and finding relief.

Diagnosis of narcolepsy first begins with a physical exam and detailed medical history to rule out any conditions with similar symptoms. You may be asked to keep a sleep journal for a couple of weeks to track your specific symptoms. To render a correct diagnosis, your doctor may also refer you to a sleep medicine specialist who can provide more specialized testing.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke requires two tests to render an accurate diagnosis of narcolepsy. Performed in the safety and comfort of a sleep clinic, both tests examine an individual’s sleep, looking for disruptions, muscle movement, and more to determine if you have a sleep disorder. A Polysomnogram (PSG), also referred to as a sleep study, is a test that measures your muscle movement, breathing, brain activity, heart rhythm, blood oxygen, and eye movement during sleep. A Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) examines how long it takes for someone to fall asleep and monitors whether an individual enters REM sleep. Using these tests, your doctor will be able to determine if you have narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy Treatment

While there is no cure for narcolepsy, treatment can address and manage your symptoms to provide you with a better quality of life. A sleep medicine specialist can provide you with a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustment that targets your unique symptoms. Treatment for narcolepsy can vary greatly from person to person and may take some time to find the right combination. Some treatments, especially medication, aren’t the best fit for everyone. Some common forms of treatment include:

• Medication

Stimulants, antidepressants, wake-promoting agents, and more can all help patients manage their narcolepsy symptoms. Not all medications are the right fit for narcolepsy sufferers. To determine what medication could help manage your symptoms, consider speaking with a TPMG Sleep Medicine Specialist.

• Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a psychotherapy in which individuals find ways to manage mental issues and emotional problems by changing the way they think and behave, could provide some benefit for those with narcolepsy.

• Lifestyle adjustment

Individuals with narcolepsy may require lifestyle adjustments such as changing sleep schedules, taking brief naps, exercising more, avoiding smoking, dietary changes, relaxation activities before bed, and avoiding caffeine or alcohol, among others.

Find Expert Treatment for Narcolepsy in Hampton Roads

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for narcolepsy, which is why it’s crucial to consult a Sleep Medicine Specialist. TPMG Lung & Sleep Specialists in Newport News and Williamsburg, VA offer comprehensive in-office and at-home sleep studies, as well as a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, involving a blend of physiology, neurology, and psychiatry to effectively manage your narcolepsy symptoms.

Learn more about why our patients choose TPMG Lung and Sleep Specialists to manage their sleep disorders today.