Exactly what causes the loss of hypocretin-producing cells in the brain isn't known, but experts suspect it's due to an autoimmune reaction. Hypocretin levels are particularly low in those who experience cataplexy. Hypocretin is an important neurochemical in your brain that helps regulate wakefulness and REM sleep. People with type 1 narcolepsy have low levels of the chemical hypocretin (hi-poe-KREE-tin). The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown. See your doctor if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness that disrupts your personal or professional life. When you awaken, you can't remember what you did, and you probably didn't do it well. For example, you may fall asleep while performing a task you normally perform, such as writing, typing or driving, and you continue to perform that task while asleep. Some people with narcolepsy experience automatic behavior during brief episodes of narcolepsy. People with narcolepsy may have other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea - a condition in which breathing starts and stops throughout the night - restless legs syndrome and even insomnia. These hallucinations may be particularly vivid and frightening because you may not be fully asleep when you begin dreaming and you experience your dreams as reality. An example is feeling as if there is a stranger in your bedroom. These hallucinations are called hypnagogic hallucinations if they happen as you fall asleep and hypnopompic hallucinations if they occur upon waking. People with narcolepsy often transition quickly to REM sleep, usually within 15 minutes of falling asleep. REM sleep can occur at any time of the day in people with narcolepsy. REM sleep is typically when most dreaming happens. Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.Many people without narcolepsy experience some episodes of sleep paralysis. Not everyone with sleep paralysis has narcolepsy, however. This temporary immobility during REM sleep may prevent your body from acting out dream activity. This sleep paralysis mimics the type of temporary paralysis that normally occurs during a period of sleep called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. You may be aware of the condition and have no difficulty recalling it afterward, even if you had no control over what was happening to you. These episodes are usually brief - lasting a few seconds or minutes - but can be frightening. People with narcolepsy often experience a temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking. Not everyone with narcolepsy experiences cataplexy. ![]() Some people with narcolepsy experience only one or two episodes of cataplexy a year, while others have numerous episodes daily. For example, when you laugh, your head may droop uncontrollably or your knees may suddenly buckle. This condition, called cataplexy (KAT-uh-plek-see), can cause a number of physical changes, from slurred speech to complete weakness of most muscles, and may last up to a few minutes.Ĭataplexy is uncontrollable and is triggered by intense emotions, usually positive ones such as laughter or excitement, but sometimes fear, surprise or anger. Excessive daytime sleepiness usually is the first symptom to appear and is often the most troublesome, making it difficult for you to concentrate and fully function. You may also experience decreased alertness and focus throughout the day. When you awaken, you feel refreshed, but eventually you get sleepy again. For example, you may be working or talking with friends and suddenly you nod off, sleeping for a few minutes up to a half-hour. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime. They include:Įxcessive daytime sleepiness. The signs and symptoms of narcolepsy may worsen for the first few years and then continue for life. Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU).Hospitalists & Internal Medicine Physicians.
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