Narcolepsy: Central Nervous System

“Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system”... “that involves poor control of sleep wake cycles” brain disorder that involves poor control of sleep-wake cycles” (“Narcolepsy Fact Sheet”). In addition to that, “narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system” (Cunha,Shiel Jr.). This disorder usually begins in teenage years or young adults and affects both males and females the same. Also narcolepsy affects one in every 3,000 people. People can also experience other sleep disorders like sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and insomnia (Mayo Clinic Staff). For example, people can fall asleep while doing everyday tasks. Due to the rise of narcolepsy diagnoses in America, many doctors have done multiple tests.

For example, “excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, disturbed nocturnal sleep, and automatic behavior” (Cunha, Shiel Jr.). The first category is excessive daytime sleepiness. “Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS): in general, EDS interferes with normal activities on a daily basis, whether or not a person with narcolepsy has sufficient sleep at night” (“Narcolepsy”). They can report mental cloudiness, lack of energy and concentration. Another key component is “cataplexy: this symptom consists of a sudden loss of muscle tone that leads to feelings of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control.” Can range from slurred speech to total body collapsing. “Hypnagogic hallucinations: the content primarily visual, but any of the other senses can be involved.” They can be very vivid and frightening as well. In addition, “sleep paralysis: involves the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up” (“Narcolepsy”). The episodes can last from a few seconds to several minutes and once it ends the person can recover fully. Likewise, “disturbed nocturnal sleep with frequent awakenings and increased body movements may develop after onset of primary symptoms” (Cunha, Shiel Jr.). A physical symptom is that obesity happens after developing narcolepsy and taking the medication to treat this drug (“Narcolepsy Fact Sheet”). Although there is many symptoms there is also multiple treatments for this