Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy refers to a sleep disorder which is typically characterized by uncontrollable urge to sleep in the daytime. It is also termed as Dyssomnia. The person may feel like sleeping at any odd hour in the day. There are few symptoms by which we can recognize that the person is suffering from Narcolepsy, such as abrupt loss of sensation of muscles, also called cataplexy, hallucinations, and being paralyzed while asleep. The person may feel drowsy and tired throughout the day. Cataplexy usually occurs after experiencing a strong emotion, may be anger or elation. One may suddenly feel weak in the muscles. And even if the person sleeps at night, it would be accompanied by frequent awakenings. Sleep paralysis may occur when one has just woken up or has just slept. In this, the person is not able to move or talk for a while.
The causes for narcolepsy can be attributed to lower levels of hormones called as orexins or hypocretins. In the same way, if the levels of hypocretins are found more in the brain, then the capacity of a person for remaining awake will be more. These hormones or neurotransmitters are found in the brain, which determine human behavioral state. Narcolepsy can be genetic, but is rare.
There are some do’s and don’ts that can be followed by the patient at home. Some of them are sleeping for a regular period, mostly 7-8 hours, exercise regularly and not indulging in consumption of liquor or overeating.
Narcolepsy can be diagnosed using techniques such as Epworth sleepiness scale and Polysomnographic tests. The Epworth sleepiness scale consists of a 3-point scale on 8 questions. The total score comes out to be between 0 to 24 points. If the score is more than 10, then the case is supposed to require further investigation. This scale basically measures the level of sleepiness in a person. The Polysomnographic tests which involve measurement of the electrical responses of the person’s heart, brain, muscles, eyes and breathing pattern. Each one is measured using specific instruments, such as the activity of the heart is measured by the electrocardiogram. For this test, one needs to be present 2 hours before his or her usual time of sleep. In this test, a close watch is kept on the person’s sleep. Multi sleep latency test is another such test which determines the time it takes for a person to finally fall asleep and also records the activities of the brain. It has 4-5 naps which are studied and it takes 7 hours to complete this test.
Treatment includes combination of medications such as antidepressants to control cataplexy and medicine to stimulate the central nervous system to increase the capacity to remain awake and control sleepiness.
Written by admin on October 16, 2011 under Sleep Disorders.
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