Information About Common Sleep Disorders

Millions of Americans suffer from sleepiness during normal waking hours. This is not healthy for them or those around them. Sleepiness affects people when they are not getting proper sleep, which may be caused by several different factors. Should someone experience sleepiness for three or more days per week, it is strongly suggested that they visit their family physician for further evaluation.

IMPORTANT: The information contained on/within this web site/web page is provided as a public service by REM Sleep Diagnostics, which is soley responsible for any/all content. NO attempt to provide clinical diagnosis and/or treatment of/for any medical condition is made, offered, or inferred herein. Sleep Disorders may indicate, or, present in and of themselves, (a) serious health condition(s). Consult your primary care physician or other appropriate medical professional, should you suspect that you, or someone you know, may have a Sleep Disorder(s)

  1. General Narcolepsy InformationPage Down
  2. Narcolepsy on About.comNew Page
  3. Narcolepsy on National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNew Page

Narcolepsy

Patients with Narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness and may fall asleep at inappropriate times. Other symptoms include: cataplexy (a sudden loss of muscle control associated with strong emotions), disturbed nocturnal sleep, sleep paralysis, and hypnogogic hallucinations (in the sleep/wake transition).

Researchers have demonstrated a link between narcolepsy and certain genes.However, genetic testing is not often required as clinical findings from an overnight Sleep Study and a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) generally provide adequate information for diagnosis.

While as yet there is no cure for Narcolepsy, prescription stimulants and scheduled daytime naps improve daytime wakefulness, while a REM suppressant can abolish cataplexy.

Although the prevalence of Narcolepsy is considered to be low, it is twice that of multiple sclerosis. While the symptoms of Narcolepsy tend to appear during adolescence, the disorder is most commonly diagnosed during the patient's 30s or 40s.