The person goes through the first stages of sleep. Then, they will enter the later stages of sleep in a typical cycle of sleep. From this point, REM sleep will begin. Attaining REM (Rapid eyes moving ) sleep lasts between 60-90 minutes. However, in people who suffer from narcolepsy, REM sleep begins in the early 15 minutes of sleep and lasts all day. Paralysis of the muscles and vivid dreams can occur in REM sleep.
What is Narcolpesy?
A degenerative neurological condition known as narcolepsy causes sleep disruptions, distorted patterns, and increased fatigue during the daytime, as well as irregular REM sleep patterns.
Additionally, there is catalepsy, which is a short period of muscle tone and weakness that could lead to the body collapsing. Narcolepsy’s severity can vary from mild to severe.
In extreme situations it can impact negatively the social life and academic performance, job prospects, as well as overall health and wellbeing.
The person suffering from narcolepsy can not fall asleep at any time, whether they are speaking or driving. Teenage years, or early 20s, or early 30s is when the symptoms begin to manifest. The disease affects women 50% more frequently than males across the United States.
Narcolepsy Symptoms
Even though the extreme daytime sleepiness is the most prominent sign of narcolepsy, it may also be associated by hypnagogic hallucinations, catalepsy and sleep paralysis. It can also affect sleeping patterns during the night. However, those with narcolepsy are able to sleep for the same amount of time. In the same way as someone who isn’t affected.
Following are some of the symptoms of Narcolepsy:-
- Experience a chronic sense of tiredness.
- Propensity to nod asleep during the day
- Brain haze
- Inadequate attention
- Reduced energy
- Memory problems
- Exhaustion
- A downbeat attitude
- Cataplexy
- Hallucinations during hypnosis
- Causes of Narcolepsy
The exact reason is trusted While the reason for the condition is unclear the absence of hypocretin also known as orexin is most likely to be the cause. The brain is dependent on this hormone to keep it awake.
It is common for narcolepsy to run in families and genetic factors could cause it.
There is a higher chance that it will be diagnosed. It’s likely to come from an interaction of genetics. The environmental factors are the most likely cause, according to. The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.
A neurotransmitter is hypocretin. Through influencing different brain neuron clusters. It controls whether a person is asleep or awake. Hypocretin is made within the hypothalamus. brain.
Hypocretin levels are lower for people with type 1 narcolepsy however, they are not as high in those who have type 2. To remain awake, one must be hypocritical.
The brain allows REM sleep patterns to disrupt the normal wake-up times even in the event that. they are not there.
This can cause extreme sleepiness during the day and problems sleep at night for the narcoleptics. Narcolepsy may be caused by an brain. Injury, tumor or another condition that can affect the brain.