How to get the sleep you need

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally.

Frequency: 1 in 2,000 people are affected with narcolepsy. (although some believe it is underdiagnosed)

Cause: The exact cause of narcolepsy is not known.

Symptoms: Constant sleepiness and a tendency to sleep at inappropriate times. Typically a person with narcolepsy suffers sleep attacks as well as continual sleepiness. It is not relieved by any amount of sleep. Other symptoms include:

1) cataplexy - sudden brief losses of muscle strength

2) sleep paralysis: Aware of his or her surroundings, but unable to move or speak

3) Hypnagogic halluctinations: vivid dreams that occur when a person is drowsy.

Diagnosis: Overnight polysomnogram followed by multiple sleep latency test Treatment: Medication including stimulants and/or modafinil, environmental/behavioral modifications

Support groups:

National Sleep Foundation 202-347-3471
Narclopsy Network 513-891-3522
The Center for Narcolepsy Research 312-996-5176
Narcolepsy Institute, Montefiore Medical Center 718-920-6799