Narcolepsy: The Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Narcolepsy is a serious condition that can fundamentally affect the way a person lives his or her life. The condition is marked by extreme daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep that cannot be controlled. Accordingly, it is very difficult for people with narcolepsy to attend school or hold regular jobs.

Who is at Risk of Narcolepsy?

Typically, people are first diagnosed with this condition between the ages of 10 – 25. It is almost always diagnosed by age 50.

It is unknown what causes narcolepsy. Some people believe that genetics play an important role in the onset of the condition and some people believe that it is brought on by an infection or other trigger that affects the brain’s sleep functions.

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Symptoms of Narcolepsy

While the primary symptom of narcolepsy is extreme drowsiness and falling asleep without warning or control, there are also other symptoms of the condition. Narcoleptics may have a sudden loss of muscle tone called cataplexy. Cataplexy can occur infrequently or as often as several times a day. It can cause slurred speech and complete weakness of the muscles. Narcoleptics may also suffer from sleep paralysis where they are paralyzed in the moments before they fall asleep or upon awakening. Narcoleptics might also suffer from hallucinations. Nighttime sleep might be restless and disturbed.

Drug Treatments

Narcolepsy is a chronic condition. The severity of a patient’s symptoms might fluctuate over the course of his or her life but it is not a condition that can be cured.

Drugs can, however, help patients manage their symptoms and lead lives that are as normal as possible. There are different types of drugs that are used in the treatment of narcolepsy. Those drugs include stimulants that affect the central nervous system causing people to remain awake during the day. Many of the stimulants, such as Ritalin and various amphetamines can be addictive and cause side effects. Provigil is a relatively new stimulant drug that is being used to treat Narcolepsy that seems to be less addictive and cause fewer side effects.

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Drugs other than stimulants are also used to treat narcolepsy. Antidepressants can be used to help suppress REM sleep and treat the cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hallucinations that can plaque narcoleptics. Xyrem can also be used to treat cataplexy.

Lifestyle changes and coping skills are also an important part of treatment for narcolepsy. Drugs can help treat the symptoms of this difficult condition but they are not without risk and they will not cure a patient. Therefore, careful monitoring by a team of medical professionals is recommended.

 

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