Narcolepsy
In the spirit of slumber parties, I want to have a sleepover and invite only narcoleptics - Jarod Kintz
image by: More Than Tired
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Narcolepsy: What We All Should Know
Narcolepsy. Though many recognize the word, relatively few of us know what it really means. And why should we? As far as sleep disorders go, it's not nearly as common as insomnia or apnea. And let's face it, it doesn't sound very sexy either. (As one patient put it, "Combining 'narc,' and 'olepsy,' sounds like an epileptic narcotics agent to me.") Actually, the term literally refers to sleep attacks. But it's so much more complex and interesting than that.
Why should we all know more about narcolepsy? First, many if not most persons with narcolepsy (PWN) remain undiagnosed and, therefore, are not receiving the treatment and support they need. The majority of PWN that I've seen in…
Resources
Patient Voices: Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks. What is it like to never feel fully rested? Three women discuss the realities of living with a sleep disorder. Do you or does someone you know have narcolepsy? Tell us about how you manage your condition.
What It’s Like to Have Narcolepsy and Go Through Life Tired as Hell
Everyone knows a night without sleep is hellish. You feel physically drained, you can't think or react quickly, and you're generally in a shitty mood. But what about a life without proper sleep? To some extent, that's what people with narcolepsy go through.
I have narcolepsy, and I hate that people think I’m just lazy
It's a cycle that started when I was 16 years old: I fall asleep, awaken just as abruptly, and immediately scan the room for clues. How long was I out? Who noticed? Before I can finish evaluating, I'm drifting off all over again.
The big sleep: science is waking up to the curious story of narcolepsy
Despite the profound sleepiness and drive to sleep exhibited by people with narcolepsy, most would describe their night-time sleep as disturbed. Essentially, it’s difficult for them to maintain wakefulness or sleep for consistent periods, so they have insomnia with constant micro-sleeps during the day.
10 Questions You Always Wanted to Ask Someone With Narcolepsy
Around 3 million people worldwide suffer from narcolepsy – a brain condition that causes you to suddenly fall asleep without warning. Its main symptoms are excessive daytime drowsiness, sudden loss of muscle control and sleep paralysis. To the eternal frustration of narcoleptics like Ana Jovanović, nobody knows what causes narcolepsy – though the 21-year-old says her episodes are often triggered by extremely stressful and emotional situations.
10 Things You Should Know About Narcolepsy
In this day and age, there is no reason for people to go undiagnosed and untreated for narcolepsy. We need to increase not only the public's, but also the medical profession's awareness of this disorder.
Narcolepsy Following Pandemrix Influenza Vaccination in Europe
An increased risk of narcolepsy was found following vaccination with Pandemrix, a monovalent 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine that was used in several European countries during the H1N1 influenza pandemic.
Narcolepsy Is An Autoimmune Disorder, Study Confirms
A recent study confirms long-held suspicions that the sleep disorder narcolepsy -- a condition where a person feels uncontrollably sleepy during the daytime and can experience muscle weakness -- is actually an autoimmune disorder. The findings also help to explain why narcolepsy was linked to the Pandemrix H1N1 flu vaccine.
Portraits of Narcolepsy in New York City
Inside the disquieting lives of five people who struggle with sleep in the city that never does.
Provigil vs Nuvigil: Which Is Better for Daytime Sleepiness?
Nuvigil is the R-enantiomer of racemic modafinil—this sounds complicated, but it just means that it has a slightly different chemical structure than Provigil and modafinil. It appears to be similarly effective, according to randomized trials, but Nuvigil and Provigil / modafinil have never been directly compared.
The narcolepsy family's house of sleep
Imagine nodding off on your way to the shops, nights plagued by violent dreams, and falling asleep every time you laughed. For the López family of narcolepsy and cataplexy sufferers, this is a way of life. But could their plight be the key to a cure.
This Woman's Powerful Video Shows Just How Terrifying Life With Narcolepsy Can Be
Frustrated by just how difficult it was to explain her condition to others, a young woman decided to post a video on YouTube to show the world exactly what it’s like to have the chronic neurological disorder known as narcolepsy, which is characterized by uncontrollable daytime sleepiness.
Understanding the Narcolepsy-Autoimmune Relationship
We're witnessing some significant breakthroughs in our understanding of the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Two new studies, conducted independently, provide strong evidence for what's long been suspected: that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder, triggered by a mistaken response of the body's defense system and strongly influenced by a particular variation of an immune-system gene.
We're Taking the First Steps Toward a Cure for Narcolepsy
While there are drugs that can help manage the worst of the symptoms, none come close to repairing the underlying brain damage.
Narcolepsy: What We All Should Know
Narcolepsy. Though many recognize the word, relatively few of us know what it really means. And why should we? As far as sleep disorders go, it's not nearly as common as insomnia or apnea.
More Than Tired
The goal of More Than Tired is to raise awareness of narcolepsy and its symptoms. The five major symptoms of narcolepsy are excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, sleep disruption, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations. Narcolepsy is often misunderstood, with about 50% of those affected being undiagnosed.
Narcolepsy Fact Sheet
Contrary to common beliefs, people with narcolepsy do not spend a substantially greater proportion of their time asleep during a 24-hour period than do normal sleepers. In addition to daytime drowsiness and uncontrollable sleep episodes, most individuals also experience poor sleep quality that can involve frequent waking during nighttime sleep, and other sleep disorders.
Narcolepsy UK
Narcolepsy UK (Registered Charity No. 1144342) is an association of people with narcolepsy, their relatives and others interested in improving their lot. Its registered objects are the benefit, relief and aid of persons suffering from narcolepsy.
The Narcoleptic's Wife
I love my husband but I hate his illness. I'm trying to learn how to help my family thrive despite my husband's narcolepsy, and I hope this blog also helps anyone else living under the weight of this disease.
Wake Up Narcolepsy
Wake Up Narcolepsy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to speeding narcolepsy diagnosis through greater awareness and funding medical research to find a cure.
Narcolepsy Network
We are the people living with Narcolepsy who CARE* for the people living with Narcolepsy.
Nuvigil
NUVIGIL can help improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness due to shift work disorder.
Crazy Narcolepsy
Crazy mum with a dysfunctional hypothalamus...Narcolepsy affects me far more than I have previously admitted. I don't like to be defined by it and continually work hard to keep my weak times away from others eyes.
Everything Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy and cataplexy information and resources.
Julie Flygare
I am a narcolepsy spokesperson and the award-winning author of Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy. Living in Los Angeles and speaking across the country, I love opening people's hearts and minds to the real narcolepsy, a neurological disorder affecting 3 million people worldwide. Thanks for stopping by!
MayoClinic
Contrary to what some people believe, narcolepsy isn't related to depression, seizure disorders, fainting, simple lack of sleep or other conditions that may cause abnormal sleep patterns. Narcolepsy is a chronic condition for which there's no cure. However, medications and lifestyle changes can help you manage the symptoms. Support from others — family, friends, employer, teachers — can help you cope with narcolepsy.
MedicineNet
Narcolepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. The symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), distorted perceptions (hypnagogic hallucinations), inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis), disturbed nocturnal sleep, and automatic behavior.
NHS
Narcolepsy is a rare, long-term brain disorder that causes a person to suddenly fall asleep at inappropriate times.
Patient
Many people with narcolepsy also have cataplexy. This name comes from the Greek 'down'. In cataplexy you have sudden loss of control over some of your muscles. There are other symptoms of narcolepsy including seeing, hearing or feeling something that is not really there (having hallucinations) as you are falling off to sleep or waking up from sleep.
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