Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that affects how your brain controls sleep and wakefulness. People with narcolepsy may feel overwhelming daytime sleepiness and may fall asleep suddenly, even during normal activities like talking, eating or working.
Although narcolepsy can affect daily life, many people manage their symptoms successfully with treatment and lifestyle changes. Sleep specialists at Banner Health diagnose and treat narcolepsy using advanced testing and personalized care plans that help people stay alert and improve sleep quality.
Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep episodes, sometimes called sleep attacks. These episodes can happen quickly and without warning.
Narcolepsy affects the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. In many cases, the brain does not properly control rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which can cause symptoms such as muscle weakness or vivid dreams while falling asleep or waking.
Narcolepsy is a lifelong condition, but treatment can help people control symptoms and maintain normal daily activities.
Symptoms often begin during the teen years or young adulthood but can appear at any age. They may develop slowly over time.
Common narcolepsy symptoms include:
Persistent drowsiness during the day, even after getting enough sleep at night.
Sudden episodes of falling asleep during normal activities.
A sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, excitement or anger. Cataplexy may cause drooping eyelids, slurred speech or full-body collapse.
Temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.
Vivid dreamlike images or sounds that occur when falling asleep or waking.
Frequent awakenings during the night despite feeling very sleepy during the day.
Some people with narcolepsy may also have other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome
There are two primary types of narcolepsy.
This form includes excessive daytime sleepiness and episodes of cataplexy. It is often linked to low levels of hypocretin, a brain chemical that helps regulate wakefulness.
People with type 2 narcolepsy have daytime sleepiness and other symptoms but do not experience cataplexy.
A rare form that may occur after injury to the hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls sleep and wakefulness.
The exact cause of narcolepsy is not fully understood, but researchers believe several factors may play a role.
Many people with narcolepsy type 1 have very low levels of hypocretin, a chemical that helps regulate sleep and wake cycles.
Some researchers believe the immune system may mistakenly attack the brain cells that produce hypocretin.
Narcolepsy can run in families, although most people with narcolepsy do not have a close relative with the condition.
Damage to the hypothalamus from injury, tumors or neurological disease may lead to secondary narcolepsy.
Certain infections, including influenza, may increase the risk in people who are genetically susceptible.
Narcolepsy is relatively uncommon but can affect people of all ages.
Risk factors may include:
Symptoms often begin between ages 10 and 30.
Diagnosing narcolepsy usually requires evaluation by a sleep specialist.
Your provider will review your symptoms, sleep habits and medical history. They may also ask you to keep a sleep diary for one to two weeks.
Diagnostic tests may include:
An overnight test that monitors brain activity, breathing, heart rate and movement during sleep.
A daytime test performed after a sleep study that measures how quickly you fall asleep and how quickly you enter REM sleep.
A questionnaire used to measure the severity of daytime sleepiness.
These tests help confirm narcolepsy and rule out other sleep disorders.
There is no cure for narcolepsy, but treatment can help control symptoms and improve daily functioning.
Treatment usually includes medication and lifestyle strategies.
Your provider may prescribe medications such as:
Stimulants
Help increase alertness and reduce daytime sleepiness.
Sodium oxybate
Improves nighttime sleep and can reduce daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.
Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs or tricyclic antidepressants)
Help control cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hallucinations.
Your sleep specialist will work with you to find the safest and most effective treatment plan.
Lifestyle habits can help reduce symptoms and improve alertness.
Helpful strategies include:
If you drive, talk with your provider about strategies to stay safe, including taking breaks to nap during long trips.
Talk with a health care provider if you experience:
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent accidents and improve quality of life.
Sleep specialists at Banner Health diagnose and treat narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. Our teams use advanced sleep testing and personalized treatment plans to help you manage symptoms and improve your sleep and daily functioning.
If you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or other symptoms of narcolepsy, schedule an appointment with a Banner Health sleep specialist to discuss testing and treatment options.
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