narcolepszia

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Individuals with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which can be overwhelming and disruptive to daily life. This sleepiness often manifests as an overwhelming urge to sleep at inappropriate times, such as during conversations, meals, or while driving.

Another common symptom of narcolepsy is cataplexy, a sudden and brief loss of voluntary muscle tone. Cataplexy is often triggered by strong emotions like laughter, surprise, or anger, and can range from slight weakness in the knees to a complete collapse. Sleep paralysis, the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, and hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, vivid and often frightening dream-like experiences that occur while drifting off to sleep or waking up, are also characteristic symptoms.

The exact cause of narcolepsy is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a deficiency in hypocretin, a brain chemical that helps regulate wakefulness. In most cases, narcolepsy is thought to be an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hypocretin-producing cells. While there is no cure for narcolepsy, various treatments can help manage its symptoms. These include stimulant medications to combat excessive daytime sleepiness and antidepressants to help control cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. Lifestyle adjustments, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding activities that may trigger cataplexy, are also important for management.