Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder. It disrupts the sleep/wake cycle and is caused by the inability of the brain to properly regulate the sleep/wake cycle. Narcolepsy causes a person to fall asleep at odd moments and at odd times. The symptoms of the disorder are excessive daytime sleepyness, cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle tone), vivid halucinations before falling asleep or just after waking, and brief periods of paralysis before and after sleeping. At this point the cause of narcolepsy is unkown.

The Narcolepsy Network is a source for free information about narcolepsy. Secondary symptoms include automatic behavior, performing a familiar task without conscious thought or memory of performing the task, disrupted nighttime sleep involving many arousals during the night, trouble focusing the eyes, and trouble handling alcohol.

Narcolepsy disrupts the REM phase of sleep. Usually, REM sleep doesn't start for 90 minutes after falling asleep, but with narcolepsy REM sleep starts immediately, and cause halucinations because the person isn't completely asleep before dreaming starts. Dreaming occurs in the REM phase of sleep. Sleepiness during the day is caused by fragments of REM, or periods of REM, occuring inappropriately throughout the day.

According to studies people with narcolepsy have low brain levels of orexin. This was discovered by 2 different research groups, one in California involving dogs and one in Texas involving mice. They have done tests on humans also. They have found that narcolepsy could be a neurodegenerative disease similar to Parkinson's. Other studies have shown that a brain chemical called hypocretin, another name for orexin, is either quite low or missing from the spinal fluid of a person suffering from narcolepsy.

This list of strategies for coping with narcolepsy is from Healthguide for an active healthy lifestyle:

• Take several short daily naps (10-15 minutes) to combat excessive sleepiness and sleep attacks.
• Develop a routine sleep schedule – try to go to sleep and awaken at the same time every day.
• Alert your employers, coworkers and friends in the hope that others will accommodate your condition and help when needed.
• Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment if you are sleepy. Take a nap before driving if possible.
• Join a support group.
• Break up larger tasks into small pieces and focusing on one small thing at a time.
• Stand whenever possible.
• Take several short walks during the day.
• Avoid caffeine and nicotine.
• Consider taking a break for a nap during a long driving trip.
• Carry a tape recorder, if possible, to record important conversations and meetings.

No treatment for narcolepsy that will cure or mask symptoms to make symptoms totally disappear. This is a chronic disease where there are good days and bad days.

Dale L. Edwards