What is narcolepsy, what are the symptoms and how can you prevent it?
Approximately 30,00 people suffer from narcolepsy in the UK
FEELING overly-tired at the end of a long day is something everyone is familiar with.
But what separates a late-night slump from a full-blown medical condition? Here's everything you need to know about narcolepsy.
What is narcolepsy?
According to the , "narcolepsy is a rare long-term brain disorder that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at inappropriate times."
This neurological condition affects the brain's ability to regulate a normal sleep-wake cycle which means sufferers don't have an inbuilt body clock.
While it was once thought of as a sleep disorder, narcolepsy is now considered an auto-immune disease caused by the destruction of certain cells within the brain by the immune system.
Although it is estimated to affect one in every 2,500 people, there are approximately 30,000 narcolepsy sufferers in the UK and not all of them have been diagnosed.
What are the symptoms?
As the brain struggles to regulate sleeping and waking patterns, narcolepsy sufferers typically experience periods of extreme drowsiness and have difficultly staying awake.
Patients may also suffer from sleep paralysis and hallucinations.
The condition is diagnosed using a series of sleep test and by measuring hypcretin levels in the brain.
Key Symptoms of Narcolepsy
- Excessive daytime sleepiness: falling asleep at inappropriate times throughout the day, or experiencing chronic sleepiness.
- Cataplexy: involuntary muscle weakness in response to emotions - attacks can be anything from mild facial weakness to the knees buckling and the body collapsing. A third of all narcoleptics don't have cataplexy.
- Sleep paralysis: the inability to move while being conscious, either when falling asleep or waking up from it.
- Hypnagogic hallucinations: vivid dream-like experiences.
Source:
MOST READ IN HEALTH
How can you prevent it?
While there is sadly no way to prevent narcolepsy, finding treatment can help reduce the number and frequency of attacks.
Along with medication (such as modafinil, dexamphetamine and methypenidate) which stimulate the nervous system, taking brief naps throughout the day and sticking to a strict and relaxing bedtime routine is supposed to alleviate some of the symptoms.
According to the NHS, many cases of narcolepsy have occurred when the brain is deprived of the chemical hypocretin which regulates wakefulness.
However, other suspected narcolepsy triggers include hormonal changes (during menopause and puberty), psychological stress and infections.
Narcolepsy sufferer and personal trainer Belle Hutt believes she developed the condition after having a swine flu jab at school.