Narcolepsy
what it is and how it affects people
What is Narcolepsy
- Chronic brain disorder
- no control over sleep-wake cycles
- randomly fall asleep at anytime
- anyone/anything can have Narcolepsy
- 1 in every 3,000 people are affected by this in America
- Animals can also have Narcolepsy
Symptoms of Narcolepsy
- EDS (excessive daytime sleepiness)
- Cataplexy *occurs in about 70% of people with Narcolepsy*
- Sleep paralysis
- hallucinations
- disrupted nocturnal sleep
- obesity
Treatments for Narcolepsy
- Can't be cured yet
- Medicine and lifestyle changes
- Medications-peels
Facts about Narcolepsy
- Low levels of the neurotransmitter hypocretin which causes wakefulness
- Genetic defect (rare)
Rusty the Narcoleptic dog