Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, often leading to uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day. These sudden sleep attacks can occur at any time, even during activities like eating, talking, or driving.
One of the defining symptoms of narcolepsy is cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or surprise. This can cause a person to collapse or have difficulty moving for a short period.
Other common symptoms of narcolepsy include sleep paralysis, where a person is temporarily unable to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, and hypnagogic hallucinations, which are vivid and often frightening dream-like experiences that occur when falling asleep or waking up.
Narcolepsy is a chronic condition that can significantly impact daily life, affecting work, education, and relationships. While there is no cure for narcolepsy, treatment options such as medication, lifestyle changes, and scheduled naps can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life for individuals with narcolepsy.