What is Narcolepsy and Cataplexy?

What Is Narcolepsy? Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of uncontrollable sleep. It can happen any time, during any type of activity. People with narcolepsy find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. In a typical sleep cycle, we enter the early stages of sleep, then the deeper stages, and finally rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. People with narcolepsy go into REM sleep almost immediately in the sleep cycle, and sometimes while they are awake. There are two types of Narcolepsy. Type 1 narcolepsy comes with a sudden loss of muscle tone, that causes weakness and makes you unable to control your muscles (cataplexy). Type 2 is narcolepsy without cataplexy. Most often, narcolepsy isn’t diagnosed and therefore isn’t treated. Narcolepsy Symptoms Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS): Cataplexy Hallucinations Sleep paralysis Disrupted sleep or Sleep apnea Periodic l