Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnolence

Narcolepsy, a potentially disabling disorder that occurs in approximately one in 2,000 people, is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness.  Related symptoms include: cataplexy (sudden, brief periods of severe weakness and loss of muscle tone, often triggered by strong emotions); sleep paralysis (a dream-like state of alertness with inability to move when falling asleep or waking up); and hypnagogic hallucinations (sounds or images that occur during periods of sleep paralysis).

The onset of narcolepsy symptoms is often gradual and the disorder can be hard to diagnose.  There appears to be a strong genetic component contributing to the development of this disorder. Most people with narcolepsy are in their mid-teens to their thirties.  Their sleep quality is often poor and they are usually sleepy, regardless of how much sleep they have actually gotten. 

Idiopathic hypersomnolence is a disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness, without apparent cause; primarily excessive daytime sleepiness.  It is a similar illness that shares some, but not all, features of narcolepsy and is usually treated much the same. 

Effective treatments are available for both disorders, but they must be properly diagnosed and managed to achieve the best results.