What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.
Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine.
Sometimes, narcolepsy can be accompanied by a sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), which can be triggered by strong emotion.
Narcolepsy is a chronic condition for which there's no cure. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help you manage the symptoms. Support from others — family, friends, employers, teachers — can help you cope with narcolepsy.
Symptoms of narcolepsy include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sudden loss of muscle tone.
- Sleep paralysis.
- Hallucinations.
Causes
The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown.
Risk factors
- Age.
- Family history.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcolepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-
20375497
