About narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder involving the brain
that affects 1 in every 2000 Americans. Narcolepsy occurs when the brain cannot
normally regulate cycles of sleep and wake. This can cause daytime
excessive sleepiness (ES) that results in episodes of falling asleep
suddenly.1
Everyone who suffers from narcolepsy suffers from ES
People with narcolepsy do not necessarily sleep more than the average person. In
fact, regardless of how well they sleep, patients with narcolepsy experience ES.2,3
In addition to excessive sleepiness (ES), many patients
with narcolepsy experience sudden loss of muscle tone (called cataplexy). This often
occurs in the knees, face, and neck, and may be triggered by emotions like excitement
or surprise.1
The cause of narcolepsy is not known
Sometimes, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the brain cells involved
in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It is believed that narcolepsy is the result
of these cells being damaged or destroyed.3