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NARCOLEPSY
Dayna George
Period 4
Narcolepsy
A sleep disorder that causes excessive
and uncontrollable sleepiness and
frequent daytime sleep attacks.
They are irresistible attacks of sleep
that can take place at any time and
any place usually lasting between 10
and 20 minutes.
Associated Features
Before symptoms and behaviors of Narcolepsy can
be very embarrassing because most of the times,
people start falling asleep and nodding off without
warning.
Many People frequently may fall asleep while
talking or sometimes while they are at work.
Many People may experiences of loss of muscle
tone (cataplexy), distorted perceptions, and
inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis)
Associated Features Part 2
(DSM-IV-TR)
A. Irresistible attacks of refreshing sleep that occur daily over
at least 3 months.
B. The presence of one or both of the following:
(1) cataplexy (i.e., brief episodes of sudden bilateral loss of
muscle tone, most often in association with intense emotion)
(2) recurrent intrusions of elements of rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep into the transition between sleep and
wakefulness, as manifested by either hypnopompic or
hypnagogic hallucinations or sleep paralysis at the beginning
or end of sleep episodes
C. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological
effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or
another general medical condition.
Etiology
Experts believe that narcolepsy is caused by reduced amounts of a
protein called hypocretin, which is made in the brain.
Conditions that causes insomnia, such as disrupted work schedules,
can make narcolepsy worse
Conditions that cause excessive sleepiness include:
1)
Insomnia and other sleep disorders
2)
Restless leg syndrome
3)
Seizures
4)
Sleep apnea
5)
Other medical, psychiatric, or nervous system
Etiology (Causes)
Most sleep experts believe the primarily causes of
Narcolepsy are related :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Genetic Mutations on chromosome six
Traumatic brain injuries
Tumors
Damage to the Hypothalamus and Pons in the brain
stem
Biological Factors
Prolonged periods of stress
Prevalence
The United States, the National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates
narcolepsy affects one in every 2,000 people
The main symptom is present in 100% of
patients with narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy usually begins in teenagers or
young adults and affects both sexes equally.
Prevalence Part 2
• Symptoms, particularly
sleepiness usually begin in late
childhood, the teen years or the
early twenties.
•Narcolepsy can begin after the
age of 30, but such is relatively
uncommon.
•In contrast while sleep apnea
can develop in childhood. If
more often becomes a
significant and progressive
problem later in life.
•
There is no known cure for
narcolepsy. The goal of
treatment is to control
symptoms.
Anti-depressant medications
can help reduce episodes of
cataplexy, sleep paralysis and
hallucinations. Anti –depressants
include:
Selective Serotonin
Reuptake inhibitors such as
fluxetine
Paroxetine, setraline, and
venilafaxine
PROGNOSIS
Narcolepsy is a chronic lifelong condition. It is not a deadly illness, but may be
dangerous .
Narcolepsy can usually be controlled with treatment; Also treating other
underlying sleep disorders can improve symptoms of Narcolepsy.
Videos
http://youtu.be/868lOs1
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http://youtu.be/GmXSJo
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Discussion Question
If you were dating someone with Narcolepsy how
would you feel? Do you think you could handle it?
Why or Why not?
If someone in your family had Narcolepsy and came
to you for help what would you do? Would you help
them or abandoned them, why or why not?
How would your life be different if you were
diagnosed with Narcolepsy? What would you do
about it?
References
Jeffress, D. (3003-2011) What are the causes of narcolepsy? Retrieved from
http://wisegeek.com/what-are-the-causes-of-narcolepsy.htm.
PubMedHealth. (2011). Narcolepsy. Retrieved from
http://www.hcbi.hlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001805/
Cunha J. P. (Do, FACOEP). (1996-2011) Narcolepsy. Retrieved from
http://www.medicinenet.com/narcolepsy/article.htm.
Whatev. (2008) Narcolepsy Dsm-IV. Code 347 Retrieved from
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=2008114073732AAWcgKv
Halgin, R.P, & Whitbourne, S.K (2005) Abnormal
psychology clinical perspective on psychological disorders. New York, NY: McGraw
Hill.
http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/narcolepsy.htm
.