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Symptoms of cataplexy series#

Different children have different symptoms and respond differently to treatment. Narcolepsy cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled so that people with it can lead fairly normal lives. In some difficult cases, hypocretin (a chemical in the brain) is measured to help diagnose.

Symptoms of cataplexy series#

Following the sleep study, another test focuses on daytime sleepiness and sleep patterns during a series of scheduled naps taken every two hours during the day.Next, a sleep specialist conducts an overnight sleep study in a sleep lab to monitor your child and see if anything else is causing the child's difficulties.First, a complete physical exam and medical history are conducted to rule out any other possible medical conditions that may be causing the sleep symptoms.If there is any concern about having narcolepsy, your child should see a pediatric sleep specialist who is trained to evaluate narcolepsy. It is difficult to diagnose narcolepsy in the beginning stages, even by doctors. Some researchers suggest that both genes and other factors play a role in its cause. It often, but not always, runs in families. Most people with narcolepsy are lacking a chemical in the brain called hypocretin, which controls alertness. Some also experience blurred or double vision, headaches, dizziness, and excessive weight gain − all because of a lack of enough quality sleep. Children can have difficulty keeping up with their friends or school work.

Other symptoms: Other symptoms include low energy, low motivation, trouble concentrating, and memory loss.Although they have trouble staying awake during the day, they may also have trouble sleeping at night. Disturbed nighttime sleep: Disturbed nighttime sleep frequently occurs in people with narcolepsy.Sometimes a person may actually fall asleep while continuing an activity, but not remember having done it when they awaken. Automatic behavior: Automatic behavior occurs when a person does a task without knowingly controlling it.The dream is often like a nightmare and can be mistaken by others for hallucinations or mental illness. Hypnagogic hallucinations: Hypnagogic (hip-n uh- goj-ik) hallucinations are dreamlike experiences that are difficult for the child to tell apart from reality.Unlike cataplexy, touching your child usually stops it. It is the feeling of not being able to move or speak, while aware. Sleep paralysis occurs when waking up or falling asleep.

Sleep paralysis: Sleep paralysis also causes a brief loss of muscle control.

Stress or strong emotions can cause cataplexy. The person is fully awake and knows what is happening. Cataplexy may be mild − such as weakness in the knees − or it may cause a complete collapse, or fall. It is sometimes the first symptom of narcolepsy.

Cataplexy: Cataplexy is a sudden, brief loss of muscle control.

He / she may also have a "sleep attack" at a very unusual and sometimes dangerous time (while talking, swimming or riding a bike). With EDS, a person may fall asleep when most people would remain awake or when others would normally feel sleepy.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS): EDS is usually the first symptom of narcolepsy and may be the only symptom.

Symptoms of narcolepsy can appear all at once or develop slowly over time.

Falling asleep at unusual times and locations − sometimes unexpectedly and suddenly.

The first symptoms usually appear between ages 10 and 20, or early adulthood, and may include: It is lifelong and can affect all aspects of your child’s life. Narcolepsy ( nahr-k uh-lep-see) is a fairly common sleep disorder involving abnormal sleep and wake cycles.