Narcolepsy


 * Narcolepsy**

What is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a sleeping disorder or a dyssomnia, It makes you drowsy, and you may actually fall asleep during inappropriate times and places. Narcoleptics (People with Narcolepsy) tend to have abnormal sleeping times and/or can’t sleep at night. Usually when a Narcoleptic falls asleep they experience the stage of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep within 10 minutes, unlike most other people who experience REM sleep after 90 minutes.

What causes it? How is it transmitted?

Narcolepsy is a NON-infectious disease, therefore it is transmitted through genetics and any sort of environmental trigger can affect the brain and cause narcolepsy.

What are the symptoms? How long do they last? Is it deadly?

Symptoms of Narcolepsy:

Cataplexy - (loss of muscle control) This usually happens when a narcoleptic experiences a strong emotion. Hallucinations - usually when one awakes or falls asleep Sleep paralysis - unable to move when awakening or falling asleep Micro sleep - sleeping in a very brief period of time while still active Night time wakefulness - Narcoleptics may have brief periods of wakefulness during the night with heat flashes, elevated heart-rate and sometimes intense alertness. Rapid entry into REM sleep - Most people experience REM sleep after around 90 minutes of sleep whereas narcoleptics may experience REM sleep after around 10 minutes.

The symptoms of narcolepsy may increase during the first few years of the sickness and then continue for the rest of the life, but with repeated treatment symptoms of Narcolepsy can be controlled with the help of medication and a guide. Narcolepsy is not Deadly.

Can it be cured? If so, How? If not, is there any way we can at least treat it?

Narcolepsy cannot be cured, but if receiving medical treatment, one can live a carefree and active life if a change in lifestyle has taken place. One of the treatments are to take 3 or more scheduled sleep times or naps throughout the day. Narcoleptics should also avoid consuming heavy meals or alcohol as they intervene with sleep of the patient. Bibliography:

Laurence Robinson, Gina Kemp and Jeanne Segal, Initials. (2011, June). Narcolepsy. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/life/narcolepsy_symptom_causes_treatments.htm

Mayo clinic staff, Initials. (2010, May 15). Narcolepsy: symptoms. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcolepsy/DS00345/DSECTION=symptoms

Narcolepsy. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.narcolepsysymptoms.org/

UMMC, Initials. (2011). Narcolepsy-treatment. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_treatments_narcolepsy_000098_6.htm