Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a rare, long-term brain disorder that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at inappropriate times.

The brain is unable to regulate sleeping and waking patterns normally, which can result in:

excessive daytime sleepiness – feeling very drowsy throughout the day, and having difficulty concentrating and staying awake
sleep attacks – falling asleep suddenly and without warning
cataplexy – temporary loss of muscle control, often in response to emotions such as laughter and anger
sleep paralysis – a temporary inability to move or speak when waking up or falling asleep

Narcolepsy should not cause serious or long-term physical health problems, but it can have a significant impact on daily life and can be difficult to cope with emotionally.

Read more about the symptoms of narcolepsy.

What causes narcolepsy?

Many cases of narcolepsy are caused by a lack of the brain chemical orexin (also known as hypocretin), which regulates sleep.

This deficiency is thought to result from the immune system mistakenly attacking parts of the brain that produce this chemical.

However, this does not explain all cases of narcolepsy, and the exact cause of this problem is often unclear.

Factors that have been suggested to trigger narcolepsy include hormonal changes (which can occur during puberty or the menopause), major psychological stress, a sudden change in sleep patterns and an infection (such as flu).

Read more about the causes of narcolepsy.

Who is affected

Narcolepsy is a fairly rare condition. It is difficult to know exactly how many people have narcolepsy because many cases are thought to go unreported. However, it is estimated that the condition affects at least 25,000 people in the UK.

Men and women are thought to be affected equally by narcolepsy, although some studies have suggested the condition may be more common in men. The symptoms often begin during adolescence, although the condition is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40.

How narcolepsy is diagnosed

You should make an appointment to see your GP if you think you may have narcolepsy.

Your GP may ask about your sleeping habits and any other symptoms you have. They may then carry out tests to help rule out other conditions that could be causing your excessive daytime sleepiness, such as sleep apnoea or an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).

If necessary, you will be referred to a specialist in sleep disorders, who will analyse your sleep patterns. This will usually involve staying overnight in a specialist sleep centre so various aspects of your sleep can be monitored.

How narcolepsy is treated

There is currently no cure for narcolepsy, but making changes to improve your sleeping habits and taking medication can help minimise the impact the condition has on your daily life.

Taking frequent, brief naps evenly spaced throughout the day is one of the best ways to manage excessive daytime drowsiness. This may be difficult when you are at work or school, but your GP or specialist may be able to devise a sleep schedule that will help you get into a routine of taking naps.

Keeping to a strict bedtime routine can also help, so you should go to bed at the same time each night whenever possible.

If your symptoms are particularly troublesome, you may be prescribed medication that can help reduce daytime sleepiness, prevent cataplexy attacks and improve your sleep at night. These medications are usually taken as daily tablets, capsules or drinkable solutions.