Narcolepsy Network , Inc.

79 Main Street
North Kingstown, Rhode Island 02852
United States

Website:	www.narcolepsynetwork.org
Phone:	(401) 667-2523
Fax:	(401) 633-6567

Narcolepsy Network's profile was created using:

639 online sources

Summary

Industry:

Membership Organizations

Description

Narcolepsy is a chronic, debilitating neurological disorder, the primary symptoms of which are excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), disrupted nighttime sleep, and cataplexy. The hallmark symptom of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, even after having adequate time to sleep at night. EDS is present in 100% of narcolepsy patients and causes people to become drowsy or fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Disrupted nighttime sleep may contribute to disturbed wakefulness and can affect daytime functionality and quality of life. Cataplexy, the sudden loss of muscle tone, is the most predictive symptom of narcolepsy. Cataplexy can range from slight weakness or a drooping of the face to the complete loss of muscle tone and is triggered by strong emotional reactions such as laughter, anger or surprise. Other symptoms of narcolepsy include hallucinations at sleep onset and upon waking and sleep paralysis. People with narcolepsy may get as much sleep as people without narcolepsy, but the sleep is inappropriately distributed throughout a 24-hour period. Nighttime sleep is disrupted by multiple awakenings, resulting in waking without feeling refreshed, and episodes of sleep (excessive daytime sleepiness or involuntary nap attacks) can occur during the day. Nearly 1 in 2,000 people are afflicted by narcolepsy in the United States, but fewer than 50,000 are diagnosed. Narcolepsy is as widespread as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis and more prevalent than cystic fibrosis, but it is less well known. Narcolepsy is often mistaken for depression, epilepsy, or the side effects of medications.