Do I Have Narcolepsy Disorder? Consult Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh

04 Dec Do I Have Narcolepsy Disorder? Consult Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that affects millions worldwide.

This neurological disease characterizes an inability of the brain to control the sleep-wake cycles, leading to episodes of excessive daytime sleeping or sleep attacks.

Narcolepsy disorder can affect various aspects of life including work and academic performance and even interpersonal relationships and general quality of life.

Moreover, living with narcolepsy can be challenging and isolating.

In this blog, we’ll highlight the symptoms, causes, and management of narcolepsy. It can benefit the affected individuals in coping with this debilitating disorder.

What Is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that affects sleep such that there are varying degrees of inability to manage sleep periods and periods of wakefulness.

For instance, a person with narcolepsy is likely to have very little tendency to remain awake for a very long time and irrespective of how long one has slept at night.

This period of excessive sleepiness also has a tendency to attack social functioning in that it makes any routine activity very hard for such a person.

In such cases where occupation, family or even social life is at risk, this exaggeration of sleep is very detrimental.

Below are some of the main primary narcolepsy symptoms:

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS):

• This is the most frequent symptom, which makes the patient feel unyielding sleepiness during the daytime.
• This can be true excessive sleepiness as opposed to fatigue whereby it is a degree of sleepiness that will come even when someone has slept for the whole night. It is not tiredness but a desire, almost a compulsion, to sleep.
• It often hampers daily tasks and with great difficulty will one be able to concentrate and be awake.

Cataplexy:

• Researchers define cataplexy as an abrupt, short-term lapse of control over the muscles of the body, often triggered by amotivation or positive reproductive incitement such as laughter, surprise, anger, or even excitement.
• This episode may soften the body and its posture causing it to bend or fall but the individual is awake and alert to all their surroundings.
• Not every individual with narcolepsy presents with the condition of cataplexy. Though, this cataplexy is present with disabling and at times catastrophic effects.

Sleep Paralysis:

• In simple terms, it is a stage of sleep where a person is awake but cannot move or speak.
• These events usually last for a short period of time; however, they can still disturb because of the feeling of being entombed in one’s own body.
• Whereas cataplexy sounds hard because it relates to mood. Sleep-P helps to ease itself as one rigorously tries to wake up from sleep towards an alerting state.

Hallucinations:

• As people who have narcolepsy tend to fall into sleep or wake from it, they may also, disturbingly, have vivid hallucinations (hypnagogic hallucinations as one falls asleep and hypnopompic hallucinations as one wakes up).
• These illusions differ greatly from what we can call ordinary hallucinations, as they incorporate even moving images and sounds, often mixing with dream and reality.

So if you have question like ‘Do i have narcolepsy’, then the above signs are your answer.

It’s important to note that not everyone with narcolepsy experiences all of these symptoms. Some individuals may only have excessive daytime sleepiness, while others may experience a combination of symptoms.

If you suspect early signs of narcolepsy, it’s crucial to consult a narcolepsy doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Are There Different Types Of Narcolepsy?

Yes, there are two different types of narcolepsy….

Narcolepsy Type 1 (Narcolepsy with Cataplexy):

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Cataplexy:

• In individuals suffering from Type 1 narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia occurs in conjunction with attacks of cataplexy.
• These attacks are often preceded or followed by other narcoleptic symptoms, such as sleep paralysis and hallucinations.

Low Hypocretin Levels:

• Hypocretin known also as orexin is a chemical in the brain that is important for the maintenance of wakefulness and REM sleep.
• Patients suffering from Type 1 narcolepsy have been shown to have low levels of hypocretin, which disrupts their normal sleep-wake cycle and facilitates the development of disorders such as EDS and Cataplexy.
• Researchers suspect that this orexin deficiency is autoimmune in nature, as the body’s immune system attacks immature neurons in the brain that produce orexin.

Narcolepsy Type 2 (Narcolepsy without the episodes of Cataplexy):

• People with narcolepsy type 2 also suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness although they do not experience episodes of cataplexy.
• Certain symptoms, such as sleep paralysis and hallucinations, may still be present, however, the absence of cataplexy is what sets this type apart from Type 1.

Normal Hypocretin Levels:

• Most patients with Type 2 narcolepsy do not show low levels of hypocretin as opposed to Type 1.
• There is less known about the mechanism of Type 2 narcolepsy, but it is thought to be due to some other level of dysfunction in the nervous system or possibly related to different genes

If you suspect you may have narcolepsy, it’s important to consult a neuropsychiatrist in Patna Bihar for proper evaluation and management.

What Causes Narcolepsy?

The causes of narcolepsy are complex and not yet fully understood, but research suggests that a combination of genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors may play a role.

Here are some key contributing factors:

Is Narcolepsy Genetic:

• Studies have shown that alterations of the specific gene group in HLA (human leukocyte antigen) complex increase the risk of developing narcolepsy.
• Individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy are more likely to have certain variations of the HLA genes, which are known to play a role in the immune system increasing the chances of autoimmune conditions.

Disorders relating to the immune system and autoimmune disorders:

• There is strong evidence to suggest that there is some sort of autoimmune activity especially with regards to Type 1 narcolepsy. The immune system is believed to attack the hypocretin producing neurons in the brain, which is crucial for maintaining proper wake/sleep cycles and more importantly REM sleep.
• In some instances this response does assist the body in fighting off infections but in the case of sleep does decrease hypocretin levels leading to an increase in sleepiness and cataplexy.

Brain Trauma:

• Can you develop narcolepsy? Yes, Head injuries or damage to the part of the brain that controls sleep patterns, like the hypothalamus, can make a person more likely to develop narcolepsy.
• Brain injuries may affect the areas associated with producing hypocretin or other agents that assist in sleep cycle, hence bringing about narcolepsy signs.

Infections or Inflammation:

• Some infectious diseases like flu or certain strains of Streptococcus have been found to increase the risk of developing narcolepsy.
• In some instances, it is postulated that these diseases cause an autoimmune pathology which is directed towards the neurons that produce hypocretin and as a result narcolepsy ensues. This inflammatory mechanism can also cause narcolepsy in affected individuals with a genetic predisposition.

In short, narcolepsy is a complex neurological disorder primarily linked to the loss of hypocretin-producing neurons in the brain, leading to disruptions in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness.

While genetic factors can contribute, environmental triggers, such as infections or immune responses, may also play a role in its onset.

Narcolepsy Effects

Narcolepsy has a profound effect in many spheres of life making it quite exhausting.

Some of the main ones include:

Work and Academic Performance:

• All excessive daytime sleepiness and spontaneous sleep episodes are a deterrent to retaining focus or finishing assignments hence work and studies do become productive to a certain level.
• People with narcolepsy often have misunderstood, incomplete, or late work due to problems with focus and memory, and finishing tasks, this can affect the work or school performance.

Psychological Effects:

• The altered sleep patterns, as well as the normalised living, that narcolepsy brings along may predispose the sufferer to other psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.
• Chronic tiredness, an inability to perform routine tasks, and restriction of movement may give way to social withdrawal, rage, and inferred suffering in the person.

Social Life:

• People suffering from narcolepsy may feel embarrassment, experience, misunderstanding, or social backlash because of unwanted episodes of sleeping or cataplexy.
• Every social event, every occasion, every individual’s interaction will be affected, as one may need to adjust their calendar, or be anxious of a public relapse, resulting in a smaller social network, or even avoidance of social backdrops altogether.

Adverse Effects on Physical Wellbeing:

• Sleep attacks or sudden cataplexy may happen in situations which pose extreme danger for the affected person especially in activities involving, driving, cooking or using other machines.
• Patients of narcolepsy have to observe excessively in order to remain safe and even have to alter their day to day activities in order to avoid risks.

Narcolepsy can significantly impact daily life by causing excessive daytime sleepiness, disrupted nighttime sleep, and episodes of sudden sleep attacks.

These effects can hinder personal and professional activities, lead to safety risks, and affect emotional well-being.

How Is Narcolepsy Diagnosed?

Despite the fact that its symptoms may be confused with other conditions and sleep disorders, it may sometimes be difficult to arrive at a narcolepsy diagnosis.

To make the diagnosis all these steps must be taken:

Clinical Evaluation:

• The doctor assesses the case by looking through the history and symptoms of the patient in regard to excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as presence of sleep paralysis, cataplexy or hallucinations.
• Doctors need to diagnose narcolepsy by examining its symptoms, hence they will require a detailed history of the symptoms.

Sleep Studies:

• Sleep studies help diagnose narcolepsy and also help in determining a person’s sleep levels. To do this, two main tests are employed:

Polysomnography (PSG):

• This test refers to monitoring different physiological activities when a person is asleep. These physiological activities include brain waves, heart rate, breathing pattern, muscle activity and eye movement and this is done overnight in a sleep center.
• Researchers use this test to assess the structure of sleep to visualize its abnormalities and other respected disorders such as, but not limited to, apnea.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT):

• Generally done the following day after the Polysomnography test, this test evaluates the degree of rapidity onset of sleep in the subject during any of the five set naps of the day in a dimmed environment.
• Patients suffering from narcolepsy tend to quickly lapse into the rapid eye movement phase of sleep, which corroborates the findings of the diagnosis of narcolepsy by indicating the time it takes the person to fall asleep and the time they fall into REM sleep.

Hypocretin Level Test:

• Doctors assess levels of hypocretin in cerebrospinal fluid analysis using the typical lumbar puncture technique. In Type 1 narcolepsy, medical professionals commonly find low levels of hypocretin in patients.

To sum up, narcolepsy diagnostic criteria are essential for accurate identification and effective management of this sleep disorder.

Key criteria include recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness, the presence of cataplexy, and confirmed disturbances in nocturnal sleep patterns.

Objective assessments, such as polysomnography and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, play a vital role in the diagnosis.

Narcolepsy Treatments

Can narcolepsy be cured? Despite the absence of a treatment for narcolepsy, several approaches assist individuals in managing its symptoms, thus empowering them to cope and remain productive.

These treatment options consist of medications, changes in lifestyle, and therapeutic modalities specifically aimed at eliminating excessive daytime sleep, improving sleep patterns, and managing psychological aspects.

Here are some of the best treatment for narcolepsy…

Pharmacotherapy

• Medications are central in the treatment of narcolepsy patients as it enables them to be awake, asleep at night and as well manage cataplexy and other related conditions in the patient. Types of medications used are;

Stimulants:

• Healthcare providers usually recommend stimulant medications to ensure that a person does not sleep during the day. Such medications include, among others, modafinil and armodafinil, that help ease excessive sleep experienced during the day.
• Doctors prefer these medications as they carry a lower risk of abuse potential than overweight stimulants such as methamphetamines and also have fewer side effects, thus making it possible for patients to use them every day.

Antidepressants:

• Some antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants, serve to reduce symptoms such as cataplexy and associated hallucinations or sleep paralysis.
• These drugs alter the activity of certain neurotransmitters that determine mood and control voluntary muscles to assist in averting muscle paralysis (cataplexy) as well as diminishing vivid or scary hallucinations.

Sodium Oxybate:

• Sodium oxybate improves sleep quality at night while also reducing the symptoms experienced during the day through deep sleeping.
• Doctors most often administer it to patients with daytime excessive sleepiness and acute episodes of cataplexy. Hence, it is very useful for patients with severe narcolepsy symptoms

Lifestyle Changes

• In combination with pharmacotherapy, alterations in lifestyle are of paramount importance in tackling the problem of narcolepsy as they boost one’s sleep quality, combat fatigue as well as energy levels within the day. Major lifestyle modifications encompass:

Timely Naps:

• This refers to taking several short naps, which people space at regular intervals across the entire day, playing a role in minimizing daytime sleep and helping to boost alertness.
• People usually take these naps at periods when they feel the most lazy, hence enabling them to recharge and go on with their daily routines.

Sleep Hygiene:

• Appropriate approaches to sleep are very effective in helping one achieve quality of sleep at night and even help in the incorporation of the sleep cycles into the respective individuals.
• This comprises keeping a fixed pattern of going to bed getting also up, consuming less amounts of caffeine particularly in the afternoon, and spending less time watching screens an hour or so before sleeping to prevent blue light interference with sleep.

Exercise and Diet:

• Engaging in frequent exercises acts to enhance one’s energy levels and improves the alertness of the mind which serves to overcome the feelings of tiredness and excessive sleeping.
• In addition, One can also maintain a steady level of energy throughout the day by taking a proper diet especially eating nutritional rich foods and restraining from overeating or excessive sugary foods that can cause an energy slump.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychosocial treatment design to deal with the mental and emotional problems associated with narcolepsy. Symptoms perpetually influence narcolepsy, making inpatients empty, irritated, or even depressive. This is how CBT gets to work with these:

Developing Coping Strategies:

• CBT can enable people to learn new ways of coping and dealing with stress, anger and hopelessness.
• It can empower individuals with techniques to handle emotional challenges more effectively, improving their overall quality of life.

Improving Sleep Patterns:

• CBT may also include guidance on building healthy sleep habits and breaking any negative thought patterns or behaviors that interfere with restful sleep.
• Techniques such as relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, and cognitive restructuring can help individuals manage their symptoms more confidently.

In summary, narcolepsy can’t be fully cured right now, but there are good ways to manage it.

People can use treatments like medicine and changes in their daily habits to feel better, sleep more soundly, and have fewer sleep attacks.

Researchers are working to learn more about narcolepsy and find new treatments.

Education and support are also important for those dealing with this condition.

While we don’t have a cure yet, with the right care and management, people can still have a good life.

Living with Narcolepsy

Either a conscious decision making or a coping mechanism, there are practical and psychological aspects to living with this disorder.

Effectively controlling the condition can enable persons to live a fuller life and they can control its effects upon employment, relationships, and self.

Creating Support Networks:

• For caretakers of individuals with narcolepsy, both local and online support groups are essential resources. Groups empower their members to share stories and experiences as well as help one another practically and emotionally.
• Knowing that there are other individuals with the same problems is comforting and helps enhance an individual’s acceptance.

Communication:

• Informing relatives and people in authority about narcolepsy to help curb stereotype will also assist in the promotion of understanding.
• Seeking for work-related changes such as remodeling the work calendar or adjusting break periods would eliminate misconceptions and enhance relationships..

Using Assistive Tools:

• Tools like alarms, reminder applications, and day planners can help patients with narcolepsy achieve daytime wakefulness.
• Organizing the day according to the hours of alertness helps individuals keep disorder at bay and ensures they maximize their productive hours.

Living with narcolepsy can be hard, but many people can handle it well with the right help and plans.

Symptoms like feeling very sleepy during the day, sudden sleep attacks, and loss of muscle control can affect daily life, work, and socializing.

However, using medications, keeping a regular sleep schedule, practicing good sleep habits, and exercising can improve health.

Support from narcolepsy doctor, family, and friends is also important in dealing with the feelings and everyday challenges of the condition.

Conclusion

Though challenging, one can manage narcolepsy effectively with the right approach.

It causes very tiredness during the day, sudden episodes of falling asleep, and other issues like losing muscle control and trouble moving when waking up.

This can make daily life and emotions difficult to manage.

While there is currently no cure, effective management through a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and support can help those affected lead productive lives.

A person who understands narcolepsy, gets diagnosed in time, and follows the treatment can enhance their quality of life associated with the condition.

Ongoing research is promising for better treatments, as awareness leads to greater understanding and so, those affected are able to live life more easily.

If you live in Patna, Bihar and looking for ‘Narcolepsy Doctor Near Me‘ in your area then go for Dr. Vivek Pratap Singh, one of the best neuropsychiatrist in Patna Bihar.