The term Narcolepsy derives from a French word narcolepsie which consists of Greek words, narke which means numbness and lepsis which means attack. Narcolepsy is really a chronic sleep disorder, characterized by excessive urge to sleep in inappropriate hours of daytime or at function. Men and women with Narcolepsy typically encounter disturbed nocturnal sleep and an abnormal daytime sleep pattern which affects their work and life style. This disorder is many-a-times confused with insomnia but the symptoms are very distinct.
Narcolepsy is really a disorder of the Central Nervous Method which causes excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) as the primary symptom. Professionals think that it truly is brought on due to decreased production of a protein named hypocretin by brain, responsible for controlling appetite and sleep patterns and is genetic in nature, although the root trigger for less production of this protein is not identified till date. Most people with this experience trouble sleeping at night, some fall asleep suddenly, even if they're in the middle of operating or talking or even eating.
The frequent symptoms of Narcolepsy contain the following- 1. EDS: Excessive Daytime Symptoms even soon after having adequate night sleep, periods of extreme drowsiness through daytime or function hours, which may possibly be followed by a brief sleep/ nap or sleep attack. 2. Cataplexy: Sudden loss of muscle tone while awake, resulting within the inability to move. It is a episodic condition which may possibly range from slight weakness to complete body collapse, triggered by sudden emotional reactions like laughter, anger, surprise or fear which may last for few minutes. 3. Sleep paralysis: It's once you are unable to move whenever you 1st wake up. 4. Dream-like hallucinations: Typically when a person first falls asleep, the brain waves turn out to be slower and less normal and this sleep-state is referred to as Non rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). Following about 90 min or so, the brain waves show more active pattern, that is known as the REM or Rapid- eye movement sleep. In Narcolepsy, this pattern of sleep is disturbed and REM sleep occurs in the sleep onset instead of after a period of NREM sleep. Narcolepsy affects men and women of both sexes equally, at a young age/ teenage and is rare in young children below five years of age. It is estimated that around three million people about the globe are affected by this disorder, prevalence becoming 1 per 2000 persons.
Tests for Diagnosis: 1. ECG to measure heart's electrical activity 2. EEG to measure brain activity 3. Monitoring of breathing pattern 4. Genetic testing to find narcolepsy gene 5. Sleep study tests (Polysomnogram) and Several Sleep Latency test (MSLT)
Remedy is tailored to individual, based on symptoms and therapeutic response. Though there is no cure to Narcolepsy, the symptoms could be controlled by proper medication and life-style modification. Correct planning of light meals and structuring of sleep-wake up cycles and adjustments of naps (10-15 minutes) could be made to steer clear of sudden sleep attacks. Behavioral approaches may possibly incorporate appropriate workout, occupational, marriage and household counseling.
Appropriate medication also plays a crucial role in enhancing this chronic condition. The stimulant drug modafinil (Provigil) is often the first selection for Narcolepsic patients. Other drugs may consist of some anti-depressants like fluoxetine, paroxetine, clomipramine, to name several and Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) oral resolution.
Complications of this disorder may possibly contain injuries and accidents, impaired functioning at workplace and social activities. But with right medication and care this might be managed nicely. There are numerous famous faces inside the world who suffered from this disorder, namely, Arthur Lowe, Jimmy Kimmel, Nicole Jeray, George Church and 1 need to not be dis-heartened if suffering from Narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is really a disorder of the Central Nervous Method which causes excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) as the primary symptom. Professionals think that it truly is brought on due to decreased production of a protein named hypocretin by brain, responsible for controlling appetite and sleep patterns and is genetic in nature, although the root trigger for less production of this protein is not identified till date. Most people with this experience trouble sleeping at night, some fall asleep suddenly, even if they're in the middle of operating or talking or even eating.
The frequent symptoms of Narcolepsy contain the following- 1. EDS: Excessive Daytime Symptoms even soon after having adequate night sleep, periods of extreme drowsiness through daytime or function hours, which may possibly be followed by a brief sleep/ nap or sleep attack. 2. Cataplexy: Sudden loss of muscle tone while awake, resulting within the inability to move. It is a episodic condition which may possibly range from slight weakness to complete body collapse, triggered by sudden emotional reactions like laughter, anger, surprise or fear which may last for few minutes. 3. Sleep paralysis: It's once you are unable to move whenever you 1st wake up. 4. Dream-like hallucinations: Typically when a person first falls asleep, the brain waves turn out to be slower and less normal and this sleep-state is referred to as Non rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). Following about 90 min or so, the brain waves show more active pattern, that is known as the REM or Rapid- eye movement sleep. In Narcolepsy, this pattern of sleep is disturbed and REM sleep occurs in the sleep onset instead of after a period of NREM sleep. Narcolepsy affects men and women of both sexes equally, at a young age/ teenage and is rare in young children below five years of age. It is estimated that around three million people about the globe are affected by this disorder, prevalence becoming 1 per 2000 persons.
Tests for Diagnosis: 1. ECG to measure heart's electrical activity 2. EEG to measure brain activity 3. Monitoring of breathing pattern 4. Genetic testing to find narcolepsy gene 5. Sleep study tests (Polysomnogram) and Several Sleep Latency test (MSLT)
Remedy is tailored to individual, based on symptoms and therapeutic response. Though there is no cure to Narcolepsy, the symptoms could be controlled by proper medication and life-style modification. Correct planning of light meals and structuring of sleep-wake up cycles and adjustments of naps (10-15 minutes) could be made to steer clear of sudden sleep attacks. Behavioral approaches may possibly incorporate appropriate workout, occupational, marriage and household counseling.
Appropriate medication also plays a crucial role in enhancing this chronic condition. The stimulant drug modafinil (Provigil) is often the first selection for Narcolepsic patients. Other drugs may consist of some anti-depressants like fluoxetine, paroxetine, clomipramine, to name several and Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) oral resolution.
Complications of this disorder may possibly contain injuries and accidents, impaired functioning at workplace and social activities. But with right medication and care this might be managed nicely. There are numerous famous faces inside the world who suffered from this disorder, namely, Arthur Lowe, Jimmy Kimmel, Nicole Jeray, George Church and 1 need to not be dis-heartened if suffering from Narcolepsy.
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