NARCOLEPSY The word narcolepsy comes from two Greek words roughly translated as "seized by numbness."

It is sometimes described as an “irresistible daytime need for naps”. SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY – Excessive Sleepiness Excessive Sleepiness All people with narcolepsy experience excessive sleepiness during the day with episodes of falling asleep rapidly and inappropriately, even when fully involved in an activity. It is sometimes described as an “irresistible daytime need for naps”. These events may be characterized by the following behaviors: Patients often have periods of drowsiness every 3 or 4 hours that usually end in short naps. Patients may sleep for a few minutes, particularly if they are in an awkward position or for a few hours if they are lying down. Patients often underestimate the duration of their drowsy periods and may not recall clearly their behavior during that time.

Around two thirds of patients with narcolepsy have symptoms of SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY -- Cataplexy Cataplexy Cataplexy is an abrupt loss of muscle tone or strength that results in an inability to move and always occurs during wakefulness. Around two thirds of patients with narcolepsy have symptoms of cataplexy. The following events may be cataplexy triggers: Sudden emotion, usually anger or laughter (the most common trigger) Following a heavy meal During periods of stress

Muscle reflexes are completely absent during a cataplectic attack. SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY – Cataplexy continued Muscle reflexes are completely absent during a cataplectic attack. Cataplectic attacks can be very minimal and appear as passing weakness or affecting only the eyelids and face (most attacks last less than 30 seconds). In severe cases, a person may fall and remain paralyzed for as long as several minutes. Typically the patient's head will suddenly fall forward, the jaw becomes slack, and the knees will buckle. Speech may become suddenly loud or broken and stutter-like.

The person is conscious but cannot speak, cannot move SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY – Atonia Atonia Atonia is a sense of paralysis that occurs between wakefulness and sleep, usually upon waking or sometimes at the onset of sleep. The person is conscious but cannot speak, cannot move (cannot even open the eyes), and cannot breathe deeply. Atonia rarely lasts beyond 20 minutes, but when it first occurs, this experience can be terrifying, particularly if the patient also develops hallucinations.

Hypnagogic Hallucinations. SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY – Hynagogic Hallucinations Hypnagogic Hallucinations. Hypnagogic hallucinations are dreams that intrude on wakefulness, which can cause visual, auditory, or touchable sensations. They occur between waking and sleeping, usually at the onset of sleep, and can also occur about 30 seconds after a cataplectic attack. Commonly they may involve seeing colored forms that shift in size and shape. Auditory hallucinations may include random sounds or elaborate melodies. A person may also hallucinate feelings of rubbing or light touches, even levitation.

Microsleep and Automatic Behavior SYMPTOMS OF NARCOLEPSY – Microsleep & Automatic Behavior Microsleep and Automatic Behavior During microsleep episodes, patients behave automatically without conscious awareness Some examples include: People with narcolepsy can be driving or walking competently but end up in a location different from the intended one. A narcolepsy patient can be carrying on a conversation and jump from one unrelated topic to another or just trail off and stop talking altogether. The patient may suddenly perform bizarre actions, such as putting socks in the refrigerator. Their movements may suddenly become slow or clumsy.