In a normal sleep cycle, a person enters rapid eye movement (REM) sleep after about 60 to 90 minutes. Other symptoms may include sudden muscle weakness while awake that makes a person go limp or unable to move (cataplexy), vivid dream-like images or hallucinations, and total paralysis just before falling asleep or just after waking up (sleep paralysis). ![]() People may unwillingly fall asleep even if they are in the middle of an activity like driving, eating, or talking. Narcolepsy can greatly affect daily activities. Many individuals with narcolepsy also experience uneven and interrupted sleep that can involve waking up frequently during the night. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day. Secondary narcolepsy masquerading as obstructive sleep apnea.Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Learn more about how doctors diagnose narcolepsy here. If a person’s medical history and timeline of symptoms fit with this diagnosis, or they have distinctive symptoms that are not common in primary narcolepsy, a doctor may diagnose secondary narcolepsy. Doctors may find it challenging to diagnose, and a person may wait years before they receive an accurate diagnosis. ![]() Secondary narcolepsy can look similar to other sleep disorders, such as primary narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. This involves spending the night in a laboratory, where doctors monitor brain activity and movement during sleep. They may use imaging studies, such as an MRI or CT scan, to detect the underlying cause of secondary narcolepsy and rule out other possible causes.Ī doctor may also recommend polysomnography, or a sleep study, to measure the person’s sleep patterns and confirm their diagnosis. The below table compares the symptoms of each type of narcolepsy:ĭoctors typically conduct a physical exam and review the person’s medical history to diagnose secondary narcolepsy. The cause of primary narcolepsy without cataplexy is unclear, as people with type 2 tend to have a typical hypocretin level. Researchers believe primary narcolepsy with cataplexy may be the result of the immune system attacking healthy cells that make hypocretin, leading to a low level of the chemical. This chemical helps to maintain wakefulness and regulates sleep-wake cycles. Instead, people with type 1 narcolepsy typically have a low level of a chemical known as hypocretin. When the condition is primary, there is no obvious brain damage. People with secondary narcolepsy may have symptoms that more closely resemble type 1 or type 2. ![]() ![]() Type 2 narcolepsy does not cause cataplexy and is often less severe than type 1. A person with this type may also have hallucinations, sleep paralysis, or insomnia. People with type 1 narcolepsy have excessive sleepiness and episodes of sudden muscle weakness, or cataplexy. Scientists are less sure what causes primary narcolepsy, though a combination of autoimmunity and genetics may play a role.ĭoctors divide narcolepsy into two categories based on a person’s symptoms. Secondary narcolepsy occurs because of damage to the hypothalamus.
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