Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in which a person experiences extreme fatigue and often falls asleep at inappropriate times, such as at work or school.
Narcoleptics usually experience disturbed nocturnal sleep, often the result of insomnia, resulting in an abnormal daytime sleep pattern. Narcolepsy is often associated with cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by intense emotions, sleep paralysis and hypnogogic hallucinations. While medications help to manage the signs and symptoms of narcolepsy, there is currently no cure.
Joyce Scannell – Patient Testimonial from Caring Voice Coalition on Vimeo.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
- Hypnagogic Hallucinations
- Automatic Behaviors
- Cataplexy
Polysomnogram and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test are usually needed when diagnosing narcolepsy. A sleep specialist performs these listed tests. Please seek your physician if these symptoms occur.
The following drug therapies are FDA-approved for the treatment of Narcolepsy.
