Narcopsy

A SIMPLE GUIDE TO NARCOLEPSY
NARCOLEPSY is a condition characterized by sleeping at inappropriate times with intense feeling of sleepiness which ironically result in normal number of hours of sleep.

NARCOLEPSY is usually caused by the following:

1. There is a familial incidence of 60 times in a close family member.

2.There is also a one in twenty possibility of inheriting lifelong syndrome

It is a rare condition with onset in adolescence or young adults.

It is much more common in men than in women.

The danger of inappropriate sleepiness is that it may result in poor productivity, social isolation, confusion and depression.

Persons who has Acute NARCOLEPSY has the following symptoms:
1.excess daily sleepiness and sleep episodes occur at inappropriate times lasting minutes to hours

2.cataleptic attacks - overwhelming feelings of helplessness associated with momentary paralysis as a consequence of loss of muscle tone following laughter, anger, excitement, fear or surprise

3.hypnogogic hallucinations - vivid auditory or visual sensations occuring at onset of sleep

4.sleep paralysis - occasional motor inhibition occuring just before falling asleep or immediately on awakening

5.rapid eye movement sleep (REM) classically begins when a narcoptic falls asleep unlike normal progression from non-REM to REM sleep

Diagnosis can usually be made by :
1.History of inappropriate sleep

2.neurological examination to exclude organic central nervous system conditions

3.Pupillography and electro-encephalography

4.Polysomnography and investigation in a sleep laboratory

Treatment is by:
Non medicinal methods:
1.Explanation to family and patient with advice on how to cope with the sleepiness problem

2.Instructions on how to regulate sleep habits

Medicinal methods:
1.Pyschostimulants such as amphetamines, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine in dosages enough to maintain functioning

2.Antidepressant of tricyclic type may help


Prognosis:

Narcolepsy is considered a lifelong illness