What can be mistaken for narcolepsy?

Is there something similar to narcolepsy?

The term “hypersomnia” broadly refers to sleep disorders that, like narcolepsy, are considered central disorders of hypersomnolence. These disorders share the common symptom of excessive sleepiness or a strong urge to fall asleep during the day.

What is a common misdiagnosis of narcolepsy?

In a physician survey and retrospective chart review study of 252 patients with narcolepsy, 60% of patients had initially received a misdiagnosis of another disorder. The most common misdiagnoses included depression (~31%), insomnia (~18%), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (~13%). ².

Can anxiety mimic narcolepsy?

Recent findings indicate that anxiety disorders also are associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, hypnagogic-hypnopompic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. These observations suggest a possible relationship between anxiety disorders and narcolepsy.

How do you rule out narcolepsy?

Research has shown that measuring the level of hypocretin in your cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, can be useful in diagnosing narcolepsy. To measure your level of hypocretin, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is removed using a needle during a procedure called a lumbar puncture.

Here's What Causes Narcolepsy

What test confirms narcolepsy?

The diagnosis of narcolepsy is usually supported by test results from a polysomnogram and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). A polysomnogram helps your physician assess brain activity during sleep, in particular, how frequently and when REM activity is occurring.

Is there a mild form of narcolepsy?

A person with narcolepsy is extremely sleepy all the time and, in severe cases, falls asleep involuntarily several times every day. Narcolepsy is caused by a malfunction in a brain structure called the hypothalamus. Mild cases of narcolepsy can be managed with regular naps, while severe cases need medication.

What are 2 triggers for narcolepsy?

Things that have been suggested as possible triggers of narcolepsy include: hormonal changes, which can occur during puberty or the menopause. major psychological stress. an infection, such as swine flu, or the medicine used to vaccinate against it (Pandemrix)

What are the beginning stages of narcolepsy?

Can a brain scan show narcolepsy?

Imaging studies such as MRI are useful for excluding rare causes of symptomatic narcolepsy. Structural abnormalities of the brain stem and diencephalon may present as idiopathic narcolepsy. In patients with secondary narcolepsy, MRI of the brain may show various abnormalities that correspond to the underlying cause.

Is there a scale for narcolepsy?

The Ullanlinna Narcolepsy Scale (UNS) is a simple questionnaire-based method used to measure the symptoms of the narcoleptic syndrome. The 11-item scale (range 0-44) assesses the two main features of the narcoleptic syndrome, the abnormal sleeping tendency and cataplexy.

When should you suspect narcolepsy?

Your health care provider may suspect narcolepsy based on your symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone, known as cataplexy. Your provider will likely refer you to a sleep specialist. Formal diagnosis requires staying overnight at a sleep center for an in-depth sleep analysis.

How many hours do narcoleptics 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 is the gold standard for diagnosing narcolepsy?

Whenever possible, the diagnosis of narcolepsy should be confirmed by polysomnography (PSG) followed by a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT); the MSLT should show sleep latency 8 minutes or less and 2 or more sleep-onset REM periods (SOREMPs).

How many hours of sleep does someone with narcolepsy need?

In addition to any of the typical narcolepsy symptoms, people with secondary narcolepsy also have severe neurological problems and require large amounts (>10 hours) of sleep. To understand the symptoms of narcolepsy, it helps to first understand how sleep happens normally.

What does a neurologist do for narcolepsy?

Neurologist Since narcolepsy is a neurological condition, a neurologist — i.e., a doctor trained in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain and the nervous system — can be an important member of your team. Some neurologists are specially trained in sleep medicine, says Dasgupta.

Can Certain things trigger narcolepsy?

Possible triggers

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.

Can you suddenly develop narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy affects men and women equally. Symptoms usually start to appear in childhood or young adulthood; however, the onset of narcolepsy can occur at any life stage.

What does mild narcolepsy feel like?

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 vitamin deficiency causes narcolepsy?

Vitamin B12 deficiency was independently associated with narcolepsy. This finding can provide the in vivo evidence of the role of vitamin B12 in the pathogenesis of narcolepsy. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a preventable and treatable disease and should be considered in patients with narcolepsy.

What sleep disorders are 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.

Is narcolepsy autoimmune or neurological?

There is increasing evidence that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are caused when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue or cells. In narcolepsy, the immune system destroys certain brain cells that produce a peptide called hypocretin.

How many naps do you need for narcolepsy?

Thorpy recommends people with narcolepsy take no more than two naps of 15 minutes each. Since patients with narcolepsy have disturbed quality sleep at night, taking excessive daytime naps can worsen their sleep disruption.

Do narcoleptics sleep well at night?

Most people with narcolepsy have daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. Not everyone has all these symptoms. Surprisingly, despite being very tired, many people with narcolepsy don't sleep well at night.

What are the three main characteristics of narcolepsy?

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