Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. Affected individuals find it difficult to stay awake for extended periods and may fall asleep unexpectedly, significantly disrupting their daily lives. In some cases, narcolepsy also causes sudden muscle weakness, known as cataplexy, which can be triggered by intense emotions such as laughter. There are two types of narcolepsy: Type 1 and Type 2. Let’s look at the signs, causes, and available treatments to manage its impact.

Causes
The exact causes of narcolepsy are still unknown to doctors. However, people with Type 1 narcolepsy often have lower levels of hypocretin, a brain protein responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. There are several factors that can result in low hypocretin levels, including gene mutations, hereditary deficiency, and the immune system attacking healthy cells. Brain trauma, stress, infections, and exposure to toxins are also known to contribute to the onset of narcolepsy.

Risk factors
Beyond the above-stated causes, some risk factors can also aggravate the susceptibility to developing narcolepsy. These include:

• Age
  Doctors point out that there are two peak periods for diagnosis— around ages 15 and 36. But in most people, the condition goes misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed.
• Family history
  I f the biological sibling or parent has narcolepsy, one is forty times more likely to develop the condition. However, the percentage of narcolepsy running in families is small.
• Past brain trauma
  In rare cases, narcolepsy can result from severe brain injury or tumors affecting REM sleep and wakefulness regulation.

Symptoms
The sleep disorder triggers four primary symptoms. However, people with the disorder do not necessarily have all four of these signs.

• Sleep paralysis
  It is an inability to speak or move while waking, sleeping, or falling asleep. The episodes usually last a few minutes or seconds. Primarily, sleep paralysis mimics the paralysis noted during REM sleep. It does not hamper one’s ability to breathe and does not affect eye movements.
• Sleep-related hallucinations
  Often, people with narcolepsy have vivid dreams that occur when waking up or falling asleep.
• Cataplexy
  Cataplexy, or muscle weakness, is a sudden loss in muscle strength that ranges from complete body collapse to partial cataplexy (drooping eyelids). Intense emotions, like fear, excitement, or laughter, can be plausible cataplexy triggers. It may happen once a year or several times during the day. In some cases, the symptoms may show later during illness or go undetected because of the suppression treatments (as in certain antidepressants).
• Excessive daytime sleeping
  It is one narcolepsy symptom that happens to everyone with the condition. It is referred to as the sleep attack.

Lifestyle changes or remedies
Also known as behavioral approaches, these are non-medical therapy forms to combat and suppress narcolepsy symptoms. One can incorporate them into daily habits along with doctor-recommended treatments for a better quality of life. Below are some such suggested lifestyle remedies:

Plan short naps
Narcolepsy patients can benefit from brief naps lasting 10-15 minutes each, which can help prevent sudden episodes of sleep during the day. By scheduling these planned naps at times when one usually feels fatigued, one can reduce the likelihood of excessive daytime sleepiness. It’s important to make accommodations at work or school to ensure that these naps can be taken regularly.

Exercise daily
Staying physically active can help one feel more awake during the day and promote better sleep at night. Narcolepsy patients can try taking multiple short walks throughout the day or pacing while talking on the phone to keep the body active. Taking occasional breaks during the day to stretch can also be energizing.

Maintain a healthy meal plan
Consuming certain types of food can cause drowsiness. For example, eating a meal rich in carbohydrates can make anyone sleepy, but it can be especially problematic for individuals with narcolepsy. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain a journal of the foods eaten and how they affect daytime sleepiness. This practice can help one identify the foods that can help one stay alert and those that may exacerbate one’s drowsiness.

Have a fixed sleep-wake schedule
Having a bedtime routine is essential for maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. To improve sleep quality, try engaging in relaxing activities such as reading or taking a bath before going to bed. This will help one wake up feeling refreshed and well-rested.

Create a comfortable sleep environment
The quality of one’s sleep can be affected by the environment where one sleeps. Therefore, it is important to make the sleeping area as comfortable as possible. For example, one should ensure that the bedding is comfortable and that the temperature of the room is neither too hot nor too cold. Additionally, the room where one sleeps should be quiet and dark to promote better sleep.