![]() ![]() The cause of narcolepsy type 2 is not known. Researchers are exploring genetic factors, infection, trauma, and autoimmunity as possible underlying causes. Hypocretin, also known as orexin, is a naturally occurring brain chemical that’s important for wakefulness, REM sleep regulation, feeding, and other functions. It is one of the most common causes of disabling daytime sleepiness after obstructive sleep apnea 1,2. Narcolepsy type 1 is thought to be triggered by a loss of hypocretin in the brain. Narcolepsy is a clinical syndrome of daytime sleepiness with cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is called narcolepsy type 1, while narcolepsy without cataplexy is called narcolepsy type 2. sudden attacks of muscle weakness in the daytime (cataplexy)Ĭataplexy is the least common symptom of these, and many people with narcolepsy never experience it.feeling paralyzed momentarily in sleep (sleep paralysis).vivid dreams or hallucinations upon falling asleep (hypnogogic hallucinations).(d) neutralization, in terms of the Bronsted-Lowry concept. (c) the conjugate acid of a Bronsted-Lowry base. Sleepiness is often present during the day, but at times, the urgency to sleep is overwhelming (sleep attacks). Briefly describe or define and give an example of (a) a weak electrolyte. It helps to learn best practices and access support through others who have the disorder.Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by excessive sleepiness. Getting a diagnosis of narcolepsy and managing the symptoms can be overwhelming and the disorder is not well understood by the general public. Narcolepsy is diagnosed by a physical exam, taking a medical history, as well as conducting sleep studies. If you do have narcolepsy, the most effective treatment is often a combination of medications and behavioral changes. People who are diagnosed with narcolepsy should seek counseling through educational networks and support groups. Without hypocretin, the person has trouble staying awake, and also experiences disruptions in the normal sleep-wake cycles.Ĭurrently, there is no cure for narcolepsy, but medications and behavioral treatments can improve symptoms for people so they can lead normal, productive lives. For example, laughter and other emotions may trigger a reflex that can bring many of the muscles. In narcolepsy, the cluster of cells that produce hypocretin-located in a region called the hypothalamus-is damaged or completely destroyed. In so collapsing, people with cataplexy may injure themselves. Sodium oxybate: Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is the only FDA-approved medication used to treat daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in patients age 7 years and older with narcolepsy. SSRIs generally have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants. Hypocretin acts on the alerting systems in the brain, keeping us awake and regulating sleep-wake cycles. Examples of SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), atomoxetine (Strattera) and sertraline (Zoloft). Narcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by the loss of a chemical in the brain called hypocretin. People with narcolepsy can also experience dream-like hallucinations and paralysis as they are falling asleep or waking up, as well as disrupted nighttime sleep and vivid nightmares. It causes a sudden loss of muscle tone that leads to a slack jaw, or weakness of the arms, legs, or trunk. The symptoms of cataplexy may appear weeks or even years after the onset of EDS. It is often triggered by sudden, strong emotions such as laughter, fear, anger, stress, or excitement. For example, cataplexy is the muscle paralysis of REM sleep occurring during waking hours. CataplexyThis sudden loss of muscle tone while a person is awake leads to weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control. In narcolepsy, the normal boundary between awake and asleep is blurred, so characteristics of sleeping can occur while a person is awake. For example, subsequent clinical trials of narcolepsy treatments should include more patient-focused outcomes of cataplexy, such as a patient-rated CGI-C scale, quality of life measures, and ratings of the severity of cataplexy episodes, rather than relying solely on counts of attack frequency. People with narcolepsy feel very sleepy during the day and may involuntarily fall asleep during normal activities. Episodes may also be triggered by anger, but rarely by stress, fear, or physical exertion. The triggering experiences are usually positive, like laughter, witty conversations, and pleasant surprise. ![]() Narcolepsy is defined as "undesirable sleepiness at inappropriate times." The four most common symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden loss of strength in the muscles (cataplexy), a brief loss of muscle control that occurs when a person is falling asleep or waking up (sleep paralysis), and hallucinations that occur just before falling asleep, during naps and/or upon waking up. Cataplexy is a sudden muscle weakness that occurs while a person is awake.
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