Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that is characterized for having overwhelming drowsiness at daytime, even attacks of sleep which provoke troubles keeping awake. It also causes the sudden loss of muscle tones, also known as cataplexy, that can be experienced by having an intense emotion. There are two types: the narcolepsy that have cataplexy is known as type 1, and the one that has not experienced these attacks are known as type 2.

 

There are no specific root causing this disease, but type 1 narcolepsy is known for having low levels of hypocretin, which is a substance in the brain that helps regulate the wakefulness. The most frequent symptoms are sleepiness at daytime, sudden loss of muscle tones (if there is cataplexy), sleep paralysis and even hallucinations. This disease can produce different complication in a daily routine, such as: physical harm (for instance, if you suffer an attack while you are making lunch), overweight, misunderstanding of these conditions, etc.

 

Narcolepsy is a problem that has no cure, but there are different treatments that can help control the symptoms in order to have a life without any changes