What are the warning signs of narcolepsy?

Who is most at risk for narcolepsy?

Men and women are thought to be affected equally by narcolepsy, although some studies have suggested the condition may be more common in men. The symptoms of narcolepsy often begin during adolescence, although it's usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.

What triggers narcolepsy?

hormonal changes, including those that take place during puberty or the menopause. major psychological stress. a sudden change in sleep patterns. an infection, such as swine flu or a streptococcal infection.

What are the early warning signs of narcolepsy?

Excessive daytime sleepiness is usually the first sign of narcolepsy. It can have a significant impact on everyday life. Feeling drowsy throughout the day and struggling to stay awake makes it difficult to concentrate at work or school. People with narcolepsy may be misjudged as being lazy or rude.

What is the first stage of narcolepsy?

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS): This is the primary symptom of narcolepsy. You may have sudden urges to fall asleep, even if you have had a full night's sleep. Hallucinations: Some narcolepsy patients experience very real hallucinations while sleeping.

Signs and Symptoms of Narcolepsy

How do you test for narcolepsy?

How many hours do narcolepsy sleep?

In addition to experiencing the typical symptoms of narcolepsy, individuals may also have severe neurological problems and sleep for long periods (more than 10 hours) each night.

What age does narcolepsy start at?

Narcolepsy affects both males and females equally. Symptoms often start in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood (ages 7 to 25), but can occur at any time in life.

How does a person with narcolepsy act?

People with narcolepsy find it hard to stay awake for long periods of time. They fall asleep suddenly. This can cause serious problems in their daily routine. Sometimes narcolepsy also causes a sudden loss of muscle tone, known as cataplexy (KAT-uh-plek-see).

What happens before narcolepsy?

While excessive daytime sleepiness (persistent sleepiness during waking hours regardless of how much sleep you get the night before) is a key early symptom of narcolepsy, many people who have extreme fatigue during the day may not initially suspect that they have the condition.

How do you stop narcolepsy?

Can you get rid of narcolepsy?

There's no cure for narcolepsy but medications and certain lifestyle changes may help manage the symptoms.

What puts you at risk for narcolepsy?

Causes and risk factors

Your family history or environment can raise your risk of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy may also occur after an upper airway infection or, rarely, because of a head injury, sarcoidosis, a stroke, or another medical condition.

Do people with narcolepsy sleep well?

Surprisingly, despite being very tired, many people with narcolepsy don't sleep well at night. There are two main types of narcolepsy: Type 1 involves having excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and a low level of hypocretin.

Do all people with narcolepsy have sleep attacks?

This symptom happens to everyone with narcolepsy. People with narcolepsy and experts on the condition often describe these as “sleep attacks.” Sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy). This can have mild effects, affecting one side of your body or only light muscle weakness.

What are the four main symptoms of narcolepsy?

There are 5 main symptoms of narcolepsy, referred to by the acronym CHESS (Cataplexy, Hallucinations, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Sleep paralysis, Sleep disruption). While all patients with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, they may not experience all 5 symptoms.

What are the three main characteristics of narcolepsy?

Major symptoms associated with narcolepsy include somnolence, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.

What is the life expectancy for people with narcolepsy?

As a result, narcolepsy can be disabling and increases the risk of motor vehicle and other accidents. Narcolepsy persists throughout life but does not affect life expectancy.

Can I have narcolepsy and not know it?

Narcolepsy, a relatively rare and poorly understood neurological condition, can be hard to diagnose. Julea Steiner was misdiagnosed for years before a sleep study helped doctors recognize her symptoms—excessive daytime sleepiness, vivid dreams, hallucinations, and mild cataplexy—as narcolepsy.

What is the best exercise for narcolepsy?

How many times a day do people with narcolepsy fall asleep?

For instance, some people with narcolepsy might fall asleep for 10 to 20 minutes several times every day, whether they want to or not. Others with this condition have more control over their naps and can choose when and where they will sleep, such as during lunch breaks.

What vitamins are good for narcolepsy?

Nutrients that can help manage narcolepsy include calcium and magnesium, choline, chromium picolinate, coenzyme Q10, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, vitamin C complex (including bioflavonoids) and vitamins D and E.

Can you test for narcolepsy at home?

A home sleep test cannot detect narcolepsy

HSATs/HSTs do not screen for narcolepsy, and, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, should not even be used to check for sleep apnea in children or in people who may have other sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy.

What disorder is similar to narcolepsy?

Idiopathic hypersomnia is similar in presentation to narcolepsy, but patients with this condition have no sleep-onset rapid eye movement (REM) period, and naps are unrefreshing. In addition, idiopathic hypersomnia is not associated with cataplexy.