Narcolepsy Signs and Symptoms Q&A

The primary symptom of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness, or EDS. This can cause people with the condition to fall asleep without warning, in any place, at any time. It may also result in decreased alertness and focus throughout the day, which can have other effects on mental and physical health. EDS is also the first symptom to usually appear and can be very troublesome, making it difficult to concentrate and to properly function.

In addition, narcolepsy may also cause:

– Sudden loss of muscle strength (cataplexy)
– Sleep paralysis
– Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep
– Hallucinations

Because other conditions can mimic its symptoms, in many cases narcolepsy can be difficult to diagnose. Sleep deprivation can cause excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and as many as a thirds of Americans do not get enough sleep. A wide range of sleep disorders can cause EDS, such as sleep apnea and insomnia.

To diagnose narcolepsy, doctors often use two tests, polysomnography (PSG) and the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). PSG is usually conducted overnight in a sleep clinic and tracks a person’s breathing, muscle movement, and brain activity. MSLT, on the other hand, is normally conducted in the morning immediately following a PSG. This test measures how quickly a person is able to fall asleep, and how quickly they can enter REM sleep.

There are several things that can trigger narcolepsy, although the most common ones include:

– An Autoimmune Disease
– Chemical Imbalance
– Brain Injury
– Certain Infections

In most cases, narcolepsy is not an inherently dangerous condition. It can, however, develop into serious complications if left untreated, including:

– Increased Risk of Accidents — Because people with narcolepsy have difficulty maintaining concentration for a long period of time, the risk of accidents is higher.
– Reduced Mental Functioning — The negative effects that narcolepsy has on focus, memory, and concentration leads to temporary cognitive decline.
– The Strain on Emotional and Social Relationships — It can be hard for people with narcolepsy to have an emotionally stimulating social life, with such triggers as anger and surprise resulting in cataplexy.
– Weight Gain — In cases of improperly managed narcolepsy, the condition can result in weight gain and obesity, although the specific reasons for this are unknown.
– Depression — Patients can feel depressed due to the fact that symptoms of narcolepsy make a person inactive and socially isolated.
– Poor Job Performance — Narcoleptic patients commonly report their condition negatively affecting job performance, with approximately 59% of patients losing their jobs due to excessive daytime sleepiness.
– Difficulty In Acquiring a Driver’s License — In cases of unmanaged narcolepsy, it may be difficult to acquire a driver’s license.

If you are experiencing the signs and symptoms of narcolepsy, come to Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders for treatment today. To provide care for as many people as possible, Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders has convenient locations near you in Bloomington, IL; Peoria – Dunlop, IL; Mishawaka, IN; Kansas City, MO; Wausau, WI; and El Paso, TX. To find out which Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders is closest to you, visit our Locations page! We look forward to serving you!