![]() Narcolepsy sometimes is mistaken for learning problems, seizure disorders, or laziness, especially in school-aged children and teens. They may fall asleep while talking or eating, or during sporting events and social activities. Some children who have narcolepsy speed up their activities rather than slow them down.Ĭhildren who have narcolepsy may have severe sleepiness. Most people who have this symptom don’t remember what happened while it was going on.Ĭhildren who have narcolepsy often have trouble studying, focusing, and remembering things. If you’re driving, you may get lost or have an accident. For example, if you’re writing before falling asleep, you may scribble rather than form words. This is called automatic behavior.ĭuring automatic behavior, you’re not aware of your actions, so you don’t do them well. Rarely, people who fall asleep in the middle of an activity, such as eating, may continue that activity for a few seconds or minutes. Not sleeping well at night worsens daytime sleepiness. They may have trouble falling and staying asleep. Most people who have narcolepsy don’t sleep well at night. Sleep paralysis usually lasts just a few seconds or minutes, but it can be scary. However, you’re fully conscious during this time. This condition prevents you from moving or speaking while falling asleep or waking up. It may seem like you can see, hear, smell, and taste things you are dreaming about. If you have narcolepsy, you may have vivid dreams while falling asleep, waking up, or dozing. During this time, you’re usually awake.Ĭataplexy may occur weeks to years after you first start to have narcolepsy. ![]() ![]() It usually lasts a few seconds or minutes. Strong emotions such as anger, surprise, fear, or laughter often trigger cataplexy. Muscle weakness also may make your knees weak or cause you to drop things you’re holding. This muscle weakness affects part or all of your body.Ĭataplexy may make your head nod or make it hard for you to speak. This condition causes loss of muscle tone while you’re awake. Cataplexy (muscle weakness) also may occur at the same time. However, sleep episodes also may occur in the middle of talking, eating, or another activity. This is more likely to happen when they’re not active, such as while reading, watching TV, or sitting in a meeting. Some people who have narcolepsy have episodes in which they fall asleep suddenly. People who have daytime sleepiness often complain of: Strong emotions such as anger, fear, laughter, or excitement can trigger this sleepiness. The disorder also can develop later in life or in children, but it’s rare before age five.Īll people who have narcolepsy have extreme daytime sleepiness. Symptoms usually begin during the teen or young adult years. Low levels of histamine, a substance in the blood that promotes wakefulness.An example of an autoimmune disorder is rheumatoid arthritis. With these disorders, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s cells and tissues. Brain injuries caused by conditions such as brain tumors, strokes, or trauma such as car accidents or military injuries.Up to 10 percent of people who have narcolepsy report having a relative who has the same symptoms. People who have narcolepsy may find it hard to function at school, work, home, and in social situations because of extreme tiredness. As a result, they may have vivid dreams while falling asleep and waking up. People who have narcolepsy often fall into REM sleep quickly and wake up directly from it. It may also may cause episodes of muscle weakness called cataplexy, hallucinations while falling asleep or waking up, and sleep paralysis. Narcolepsy causes periods of extreme daytime sleepiness. Are you experiencing day-time sleepiness? Contact us today. ![]()
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