Symptoms of cataplexy professional#

An autoimmune reaction is when the body's immune system destroys its own cells. But experts suspect it's due to an autoimmune reaction. Exactly what causes the loss of hypocretin-producing cells in the brain isn't known. Hypocretin levels are low in people who experience cataplexy. Hypocretin is a chemical in the brain that helps control being awake and when you enter REM sleep. People with type 1 narcolepsy have low levels of hypocretin (hi-poe-KREE-tin), also called orexin. The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown.

Symptoms of cataplexy professional#

See your health care provider if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness that affects your personal or professional life. Or they may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, called insomnia. Or they may act out their dreams, known as REM sleep behavior disorder. They might have obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing starts and stops during the night. People with narcolepsy may have other sleep disorders. REM sleep also can happen at any time of the day. They tend to enter REM sleep within 15 minutes of falling asleep. But people with narcolepsy often move more quickly to REM sleep. Typically, people enter REM sleep 60 to 90 minutes after falling asleep.

Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.These hallucinations may be vivid and frightening because you may not be fully asleep when you begin dreaming. For example, you might feel as if there is a stranger in your bedroom. They're called hypnopompic hallucinations if they happen upon waking. These are called hypnagogic hallucinations if they happen as you fall asleep. Hallucinations also may happen in bed without sleep paralysis. Sometimes people see things that aren't there during sleep paralysis. Not everyone with sleep paralysis has narcolepsy. You may be aware of it happening and can recall it afterward. It's usually brief - lasting a few seconds or minutes. During sleep paralysis, you can't move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking. People with narcolepsy often experience sleep paralysis. Not everyone with narcolepsy has these symptoms. Some people with narcolepsy experience only one or two episodes of cataplexy a year. Or your knees may suddenly lose strength, causing you to fall. For example, when you laugh, your head may drop without your control. But sometimes fear, surprise or anger can cause the loss of muscle tone. Laughter or excitement may cause the symptoms. Often the emotions that cause cataplexy are positive. Symptoms may last up to a few minutes.Ĭataplexy can't be controlled. It can cause slurred speech or complete weakness of most muscles. When you awaken, you can't remember what you did, and you probably didn't do it well. You might continue to perform that task while asleep. For example, you may fall asleep while writing, typing or driving. Some people with narcolepsy continue doing a task when they fall asleep briefly. Feeling sleepy makes it hard to focus and function. Daytime sleepiness often is the first symptom to appear. You also may experience a decrease in how alert and focused you feel during the day. After waking, you'll often feel refreshed but you'll get sleepy again. You might fall asleep for only a few minutes or up to a half-hour. It can be especially dangerous if you fall asleep while driving. For example, you may be working or talking with friends and suddenly fall asleep. It may happen when you're bored or during a task. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning. They include:Įxcessive daytime sleepiness. The symptoms of narcolepsy may get worse during the first few years of the disorder.