Table of contents:
- What are the symptoms of narcolepsy?
- What causes narcolepsy?
- What is the difference between normal sleep patterns and narcolepsy?
- How to cure narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder, in which there is an abnormality in the nerves that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at a time and place that may not be suitable for sleeping. This disorder attacks a person's ability to control sleep time. People who suffer from narcolepsy have difficulty controlling drowsiness, especially during the day and it is difficult to stay awake for a long time so that they can fall asleep at any time even when they are active.
Narcolepsy usually affects those between the ages of 15 and 25, although actually anyone of any age can suffer from this disorder. In many cases, narcolepsy is usually not detected and diagnosed, so it is untreated.
What are the symptoms of narcolepsy?
- Excessive daytime sleepiness: those with narcolepsy usually have difficulty getting up and staying concentrated during the day, the time when a person is usually active.
- Sleep attacks: fall asleep suddenly without any warning or warning. Narcolepsy sufferers can fall asleep while working or even driving, and when they wake up they won't remember what happened.
- Cataplexion: is a condition in which a person loses control over the strength of his muscles, causing a feeling of weakness. Not only can you suddenly fall, cataplexy can also make it difficult for someone to speak. Cataplexology is uncontrollable and usually tends to be triggered by emotions, both positive emotions (laughing or being overly excited) and negative emotions (fear, anger, surprise). This state can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Not all narcolepsy sufferers experience cataplection, some will only experience cataplection one to two times per year while some may cataplex every day.
- Sleep paralysis: or often known as 'ketindihan'. This situation causes a person to feel paralyzed either while sleeping or when he is about to wake up. Losing the ability to move and speak is an example of this sleep paralysis. This incident can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Paralysis during sleep usually occurs when a person enters the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase while sleeping, here is the phase where dreams usually occur so temporary paralysis appears to prevent us from moving because of dreams.
- Hallucinations: hallucinations in question are hypnagogic hallucinations (occur when we are sleeping) and hypnopompic hallucinations (occur when conscious). These hallucinations can occur when you are semi-conscious.
- Another characteristic that is characteristic of narcolepsy is sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea (a state where breathing suddenly stops many times while sleeping), restless leg syndrome, to insomnia. Narcolepsy sufferers may also move during sleep and dream, such as kicking, punching, and screaming.
What causes narcolepsy?
The cause of narcolepsy is still unknown. But some cases of narcolepsy are caused by a lack of hypocretin (also called orexin) in the brain. This compound regulates awareness when you are awake and REM state when you are asleep. Low levels of hypocretin are found in those with cataplexitis. Although there is no explanation why hypocretin production in the brain can be reduced, researchers suspect a link between this and autoimmune problems.
Several studies have indicated a link between narcolepsy and exposure to the H1N1 virus (swine flu) and the H1N1 vaccine. But there is no further explanation whether the virus directly triggers narcolepsy or that exposure to H1N1 increases a person's risk of developing narcolepsy in the future. In some cases, genetics also plays a role in narcolepsy.
What is the difference between normal sleep patterns and narcolepsy?
Normal sleep patterns usually go through two phases, namely Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM). In the NREM phase, the signal waves in the brain gradually decrease. After a few hours, the REM phase will start. It is at this stage that we usually begin to dream. However, narcolepsy sufferers will immediately enter the REM sleep phase without going through the NREM phase. Some of the characteristics of the REM phase such as cataplex, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations can occur in a conscious state in narcolepsy sufferers.
How to cure narcolepsy?
Until now, there is no method that can completely cure narcolepsy. But some of the symptoms of narcolepsy can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications. The doctor will prescribe drugs that can control daytime drowsiness, prevent cataplex attacks, and improve the quality of sleep at night. The type of drug given is usually a stimulant that can work to stimulate the central nervous system to help narcolepsy sufferers stay awake during the day.
Having a sleep schedule can help people with narcolepsy cope with excessive drowsiness. A nap for 20 minutes can help to restore concentration. Also try to go to bed at night and wake up at the same time every day. Avoiding alcohol and nicotine and engaging in physical activity can help prevent the symptoms of narcolepsy from worsening.
