Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is caused by the brain not being able to regulate sleep and wake cycles properly. Narcolepsy is classified by excessive daytime sleepiness, and can cause the person to nod off at any given time staying asleep for a few seconds to several minutes. The cause remains unknown and can have adverse affects on all parts of life. Many people with narcolepsy endure many years of daytime sleepiness without seeking treatment because being sleepy is not usually and indication of a disease. There is ongoing research to determine if an abnormal gene may be responsible for narcolepsy or if the body's immune system might be involved.

Fast Facts:

Effects more than 1 in 2,000 Americans
Effects both sexes equally
First symptoms usually develop in young adults
Can produce hallucinations
Unknown if it is hereditary
Symptoms may vary during life span
Second leading cause of daytime sleepiness
Do not sleep more than the average person
Chronic condition that doesn't go away completely
People with narcolepsy often experience a temporary inability to move or speak
Usually begins in teenagers or young adults and affects both sexes equally
Often remains undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years
There is currently no treatment
Medications and lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms
Sometimes mistaken for depression, seizure disorder, fainting
Believed to be caused by hypocretin production in the brain

Disclaimer: The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Narcolepsy, please consult your doctor

Categories

Health | Diseases | Sleep Disorders

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Also try: Provigil (Modafinil) | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Cataplexy

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Narcolepsy
National Sleep Foundation (NSF): All About Narcolepsy
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): Narcolepsy Information Page
Stanford School of Medicine: Center for Narcolepsy
MayoClinic.com: Narcolepsy
MedicineNet.com: Narcolepsy
YouTube Video: Kate Walsh Partners With The Narcolepsy Network (Time: 1:00)

Narcolepsy News

Google News: Narcolepsy
Topix: Narcolepsy News
The New York Times: A Leap Forward, but Hurdles Remain in Narcolepsy (February 19, 2008)
BBC News: Immune system link to narcolepsy (December 13, 2004)
BBC News: Brain chemical helps narcolepsy (March 16, 2004)
Science News Online: Brain-Cell Loss Found in Narcolepsy (September 2, 2000)
NIH News: Scientists Pinpoint Possible Cause for Debilitating Sleep Disorder Narcolepsy (August 29, 2000)

Narcolepsy Facts

NSF: Living With Narcolepsy
NINDS: Narcolepsy Fact Sheet
Talk About Sleep: Facts About Narcolepsy - Frequently Asked Questions
Counselling Resource: Facts About Narcolepsy
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI): What Is Narcolepsy?
Swedish Medical Center: Facts About Narcolepsy
Washington University: Neuroscience for Kids - Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy Causes, Symptoms and Complications

NHLBI: What Causes Narcolepsy? | What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Narcolepsy?
UCSF Medical Center: Narcolepsy - Signs and Symptoms
Stanford School Of Medicine: Center for Narcolepsy - Symptoms
MayoClinic.com: Narcolepsy: Signs and Symptoms | Causes | Complications

Narcolepsy Treatment Options

NSF: Overview of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Narcolepsy
NHLBI: How is Narcolepsy Treated?
MayoClinic.com: Narcolepsy: Treatment
eMedicineHealth: Narcolepsy Treatment Self-Care at Home
The New York Times: Advisory Panel Endorses More Uses for Stimulant (September 26, 2003)

Narcolepsy Holistic and Alternative Treatment

Alternative Health & Herbs Remedies: Narcolepsy - Information and Products
Robert McDowell's Herbal Treatments: Narcolepsy Herbal Treatment
Alive: Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy Prevention

Sleep: Narcolepsy, prevention & control (January 1, 2005)

Narcolepsy Scientific and Medical Journal Articles

Journal Of American Medical Association Search: Narcolepsy Medical Journals
PubMed Central Search: Narcolepsy
Colorado Neurological Institute Review: Narcolepsy (1999)

Narcolepsy Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Narcolepsy Clinical Trials
CenterWatch: Narcolepsy Clinical Trials
Mayo Clinic: Narcolepsy Clinical Trials

Narcolepsy Support Groups

DailyStrength: Narcolepsy Support Group
Narcolepsy Network: Welcome to the Narcolepsy Network
MDJunction.com: Narcolepsy Online Support Group

Narcolepsy Discussion and Blogs

National Sleep Foundation: Blogs and Forums - Narcolepsy and Divorce
MedHelp: Narcolepsy Posts
Health Blog (WSJ): Narcolepsy Drug Approved But Unavailable (July 18, 2007)

Related Pages on Mahalo

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness | Cataplexy | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Insomnia | Provigil (Modafinil) | Hallucinations | Sleep Apnea | Night Terrors | Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) | Shift Work Sleep Disorder | Sleepwalking | Snoring | Sleep

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