Narcolepsy
Austin Weishoff & Elyssa Kowald
Definition:
A condition characterized by an extreme tendency to fall asleep whenever in relaxing surroundings.
Symptoms
Muscular: Loss of muscle control, muscle paralysis, or muscle weakness
Common: Daytime sleepiness, fatigue, sleep paralysis, or hallucinations
Impact of Everyday Life:
1. Hard to concentrate
2. Memory issues
3. Unintentional napping at school or work
4. Strain to stay awake causes daily stress
5. Confused or grumpy all the time
6. Rapid mood swings due to tiredness
7. Feeling of self-doubt
Who Is Most DIagnosed:
Narcolepsy affects women and men equally, occurring in about 1 in 2,000 people.
The disorder usually begins between the ages of 10 and 20 years old.
Narcolepsy Population
Narcolepsy affects an estimated 1 in every 2,000 people in the United States. That's 200,000 Americans, and approximately 3 million worldwide. It is estimated that only 25% of people who have narcolepsy have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment.
Common Treatments:
- Modafinil - a stimulant used during the day to promote wakefulness and alertness
- Sodium Oxybate (Date Rape Drug) - promotes sound sleep, diminishes daytime sleepiness, and reduces incidences of cataplexy when used responsibly
- Antidepressants - Suppresses REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and alleviates symptoms of cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis