complications
what are three things that narcolepsy can affect in your personal life?
work, school, relationships
what is the first symptom to appear?
daytime sleepiness
what is the percentage of people with narcolepsy who also suffer from the muscle-dropping symptoms of cataplexy
70%
This is the heavy-dreaming stage of sleep that people with narcolepsy fall into almost immediately, instead of waiting an hour like normal sleepers.
REM sleep
Because narcolepsy is a lifelong disorder that damages brain cells, there is currently no ___ to make it disappear
cure
Intense feelings, such as ____ or _____, can trigger cataplexy.
anger or joy
how long does sleep paralysis normally last for?
a few seconds or minutes
what age group is narcolepsy found rarely in
children or toddlers
Because the body's immune system accidentally attacks and destroys its own healthy brain cells, narcolepsy is called what type of disease.
autoimmune disease
how long does it take to find the right combination and dosage of medicine to control a patient's symptoms
it can take years
People with narcolepsy are more likely to be _______
overweight
how long does it take people who have narcolepsy to enter REM sleep?
around 15 to 20 minutes
To feel the exact same "violent call to sleep" that a narcoleptic feels every day, a normal person would have to stay awake for how many days
2 to 3 days or 48 to 72 hours
True narcolepsy is broken down into how many official types
Narcolepsy is broken down into two types
To help a person stay awake and combat sleep attacks, doctors will usually prescribe what type of medication
stimulants
The constant challenge of managing exhaustion and unpredictable symptoms often leads to ______
depression
this condition called _____ causes slurred speech and weakness of muscles for up to a few minutes
cataplexy
To naturally keep their brains alert and fight off daytime sleepiness, patients are encouraged to
get lots of exercise and physical activity
People with type 1 narcolepsy have low levels of what
hypocretin
To help control muscle weakness and other sleep issues, doctors will often combine stimulants with what other medication
anti-depressants
other people often see people with narcolepsy as _____
lazy or drowsy
Continuing to perform routine tasks (like writing or driving) while partially asleep, without any memory of doing so afterward is called ______
Automatic Behaviors
Because the daytime urge to sleep is so violent, some people describe the daily feeling of EDS as what
having mental fog
what is hypocretin and what does it do
Hypocretin is a chemical in the brain that helps control being awake and entering REM sleep.
Patients are strictly advised to avoid this common beverage ingredient after 4:00 PM because it can completely ruin their chance of getting good nighttime sleep
caffeine (soda, or coffee)