Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally. The main features of narcolepsy are excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. A person with narcolepsy is prone to falling asleep while engaged in conversation, driving, eating or at other inappropriate times.

Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone. It may involve all muscles and result in collapse or it may only affect certain muscle groups and result in slurred speech, buckling of the knees, or weakness in the arms.

Narcolepsy is also often associated with sudden sleep attacks, insomnia, dream-like hallucinations, and a condition called sleep paralysis.

Symptoms: Excessive daytime sleepiness,.cataplexy, hypnogogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, disturbed nocturnal sleep, leg jerks, nightmares and restlessness.