Narcolepsy has often found its way into pop culture since it\u2019s a condition that can make characters suddenly fall asleep at a moment\u2019s notice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Films like Moulin Rouge!<\/em> and Isle of Dogs<\/em> feature characters with narcolepsy, which can make an audience chuckle. Even though filmmakers may poke fun at this disorder, narcolepsy really isn\u2019t a laughing matter. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that up to 200,000 Americans have narcolepsy\u2014but only a quarter of them have been properly diagnosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That means it\u2019s possible to have narcolepsy and not even know it. Lauri Leadley<\/a>, clinical sleep educator and president of Valley Sleep Center in Glendale, Arizona, says the symptoms of narcolepsy don\u2019t always present in a way that prompts people to seek medical treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe symptoms aren\u2019t always severe,\u201d she says. \u201c[Narcolepsy] won\u2019t be diagnosed or treated until 10 to 15 years after the onset of symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s estimated that up to 200,000 Americans have narcolepsy\u2014but only a quarter of them have been properly diagnosed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Chris Winter<\/a>, MD, neurologist, sleep specialist, and author of The Rested Child<\/a><\/em>, shares a similar sentiment, saying, \u201cWe as doctors struggle to recognize sleepiness as a disorder. Patients have a tendency to ignore it or explain it away.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since it\u2019s a difficult condition for individuals\u2014and even doctors\u2014to pinpoint, read on for helpful information that may lead you to a narcolepsy diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter defines narcolepsy as \u201ca disorder of sleep regulation causing the affected individual to feel excessive sleepiness at a near-constant level.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n He explains that it\u2019s caused by a deficiency of a sleep-regulating chemical called orexin. Leadley adds that it\u2019s a rare neurological disorder that impacts the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn short, it affects the brain\u2019s ability to control the timing of sleep,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main triggers that can bring on narcolepsy include autoimmune disease<\/a>, a chemical imbalance, brain injury, and certain infections, according to Leadley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNarcolepsy is typically present in people between the ages of 10 to 40 but can occur at any age,\u201d she says. \u201cSymptoms become more severe as a person ages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Narcolepsy can have genetic ties as well. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that 10% of people diagnosed with narcolepsy<\/a> also have a relative with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The top symptom of narcolepsy is \u201cmainly a relentless drive to sleep,\u201d as Winter puts it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alex Savy, certified sleep science coach and founder and CEO of Sleeping Ocean<\/a>, says narcolepsy symptoms typically appear during the adolescent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Narcolepsy symptoms can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Needless to say, these symptoms can make day-to-day functioning quite difficult for those with narcolepsy. Specifically, Leadley says these sudden sleep attacks can make working or driving very dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNarcoleptics are likely to experience 10 times more traffic accidents than those who don\u2019t have narcolepsy,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like any other disorder, a diagnosis of narcolepsy typically starts with your health history, a physical exam, and bloodwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter says that often, a doctor will recommend a sleep study and nap study (also known as a sleep latency test) to further confirm symptoms. Leadley says the sleep center should be accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, which you can search for on their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you suspect narcolepsy, Savy says you can ask your primary care physician for sleep medicine specialist recommendations to find the right doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA primary care physician might not have a deep enough understanding of this disorder, so it\u2019s better to seek a professional with a thorough understanding of the issue, someone whose specialty is narrowed down to sleep problems,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since narcolepsy is a neurologic condition, you might also meet with a neurologist to get a proper diagnosis, Savy adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be possible to misdiagnose narcolepsy as something else. It\u2019s frequently mistaken for depression and anxiety<\/a> since these disorders can share similar symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While there’s currently no cure for narcolepsy, luckily, there are quite a few treatment options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter says there are up to nine FDA-approved medications that \u201ccan be remarkably helpful to patients with the disorder.” These medications are usually nervous system stimulants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What is narcolepsy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are the most common narcolepsy symptoms?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How is narcolepsy diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What’s the best narcolepsy treatment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n