Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder (that is, related to the brain) that causes you to fall asleep at inappropriate times. During narcolepsy, the brain is unable to regulate sleeping and waking patterns normally, which can result in:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness, which is, feeling very drowsy throughout the day, and having difficulty concentrating and staying awake.

• Sleep attacks, that is, falling asleep suddenly and without warning.

• Cataplexy or temporary loss of muscle control, often in response to emotions such as laughter and anger.

• Sleep paralysis or a temporary inability to move or speak when waking up or falling asleep.

Narcolepsy may not cause serious or long-term physical health problems, but it can have a significant impact on daily life and pose to be difficult to cope with emotionally.

Narcolepsy is sometimes caused by a lack of the brain chemical orexin (also known as hypocretin), which regulates sleep. This deficiency is thought to result from the immune system mistakenly attacking parts of the brain that produce orexin. However, this does not explain all cases of narcolepsy, and the exact cause of this problem is often unclear.

Factors that have been suggested to trigger narcolepsy include hormonal changes (such as puberty or menopause), major psychological stress, a sudden change in sleep patterns and an infection (such as flu). The symptoms often begin during adolescence, although the condition is usually diagnosed between the ages of twenty and forty.​​

When to seek expert advise

If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis or any of the symptoms mentioned above, seek help from your doctor working with the Mind and Brain Service Line​ at The Aga Khan University Hospital.

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