Narcolepsy: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Narcolepsy is a long-term brain problem that makes you very sleepy during the day. You may fall asleep without warning. Finding it takes special sleep tests, and treatments that work are available.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy affects how your brain controls when you sleep and when you wake. People with narcolepsy feel very sleepy during the day. They may fall asleep suddenly while doing normal things.

There are two types:

• Type 1 — Comes with cataplexy. This is a sudden loss of muscle strength. Strong feelings, like laughing, can set it off. Cataplexy is a key sign of Type 1.
• Type 2 — Does not come with cataplexy.

What signs should you watch for?

• Daytime sleepiness — Feeling very sleepy during the day.
• Cataplexy — Sudden muscle weakness (Type 1).
• Sleep paralysis — You wake up but cannot move for a short time.
• Hypnagogic hallucinations — Seeing or hearing things that are not there as you fall asleep.
• Poor night sleep — Poor, broken sleep at night.
• Automatic behaviors — Doing simple tasks on "autopilot" without remembering them.

How is narcolepsy found?

Your doctor will ask about your health and sleep. You will also need two sleep tests:

• Overnight sleep study — The first test is polysomnography, done overnight.
• Nap test — The next day you take the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). It checks how fast you fall asleep during daytime naps. It also checks if you reach dream sleep (REM sleep) too quickly.

How is it treated?

• Stimulants — Medicines to help you stay awake in the day.
• Sodium oxybate — A medicine for cataplexy and for better sleep at night.
• Planned naps — Short naps at set times.
• Habit changes — Changes to daily habits.