Narcolepsy - The Awakening Reality of a Chronic Sleep Disorder

Narcolepsy, derived from the French word narcolepsie is a chronic sleep disorder or generally a dyssomnia. It is characterized by overwhelming drowsiness, sudden attacks of sleep and by excessive daytime sleepiness or EDS. A person having this kind of sleep disorder experiences extreme tiredness and falls asleep during inappropriate times, such as at work or during meal time. Daytime naps could occur without warning and may be physically irresistible, these naps may occur several times a day. A narcoleptic is at high risk to experience disturbed nights and may have sleepless nights that are often confused with insomnia and REM or disorder of rapid eye movement sleep.

There are four classic symptoms of narcolepsy:

* Cataplexy - an intervallic or episodic condition featuring loss of muscle function ranging from slight weakness to absolute body collapse. Limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles, and inability to speak are some of slight weakness that can be experience by narcoleptic. Episodes can be triggered by sudden emotional reactions like laughter, anger, fear, or surprise and may last from a few seconds to several minutes, but the person remains conscious throughout the episode. For some cases, cataplexy can resemble epileptic attack.

* Sleep paralysis - the temporary inability to move when walking or to talk. It could lasts for a few seconds or a few minutes; this symptom is not dangerous but frightening. This symptom may also occur even you are not narcoleptic person, most especially if you don't have adequate sleep.

* Hypnagogic hallucinations - are vivid, often alarming, dreamlike experiences that occur while dozing, falling asleep or while awakening. This symptom is also possible for people having no narcolepsy, but more common in people who are afflicting from intense lack of sleep.

* Automatic behavior - implies that a person continues to function like talking during sleep episodes, but awakens unaware of performing such activity. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of narcoleptics experience automatic behavior during sleep time.

These symptoms of the disorder, especially the excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, frequently become severe enough to cause serious problems affecting professional, social and personal aspects of living. Misconceptions from the people around you may occur regarding your personality and can also make it harder to handle your sleep disorder.

Narcolepsy is not just a simple sleep disorder; it is a serious problem that needs deep treatment and thorough medical attention.

Characterized by overwhelming drowsiness, sudden attacks of sleep and by excessive daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy, is an extremely difficult condition to manage. Falling asleep at inappropriate times? Then go right now to sleep-good.com to learn more about the many options available to you to help control this baffling condition.

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