Narcolepsy is a long-term, chronic, neurological disorder that causes periods of extreme daytime sleepiness that include sudden, brief episodes of deep sleep.
Narcolepsy affects the brain’s ability to control sleep and wake cycles. Narcolepsy should be evaluated by a sleep medicine specialist.
People with narcolepsy often have difficulty staying awake for long periods of time. The duration of sleep episodes can range from a few seconds to minutes and in rare cases last an hour or more and is characterized by extreme sleepiness during the day and sudden sleep attacks.
The typical symptoms are: excessive sleepiness during the day, falling asleep without warning, anywhere and at any time. Cataplexy and sudden loss of muscle tone.
Cataplexy episodes last between 30 and 120 seconds, and occur as a result of intense emotions: when the person laughs intensely, feels fear, anger, or cries a lot.
People with narcolepsy may have obstructive sleep apnea, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder, or insomnia.
Sleep paralysis is another symptom where patients, despite being fully awake and conscious, are unable to move for a short period of time.
CAUSES
So far the exact cause of this narcolepsy disorder is unknown. However, people who have type 1 narcolepsy show low levels of hypocretin. It is also likely that in some cases narcolepsy may be linked to exposure to the swine flu virus (H1N1 flu).
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
- Take naps. Schedule short naps at regular intervals throughout the day.
- Avoid nicotine and alcohol.
- Exercise regularly.
- Drink a lot of water.
- Activate your circulation.
- Avoid overeating.
- Receive sunlight.
- Shower with very cold water.
- Prioritize and simplify your day.
YOU SHOULD AVOID SUCH AS:
- In her workplace, operating dangerous machines and Driving vehicles, since she can fall asleep at any time.
Evaluate your symptoms and share the result with a specialist.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/narcolepsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20375497
https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000802.htm
https://cuidateplus.marca.com/enfermedades/neurologicas/narcolepsia.html
