![]() This weakness is temporary, lasting 2 minutes or less, but it can lead to falls and other accidents. Some people will have only mild weakness, such as a head or jaw drop, but some may collapse to the ground. CataplexyĬataplexy refers to sudden muscle weakness that affects the face, neck, and knees. They may result from the blend of wakefulness and dreaming that occurs with REM sleep. Hypnogogic hallucinations are vivid, often frightening sensory hallucinations that occur while falling asleep. People with narcolepsy will usually have a persistent feeling of sleepiness with a tendency to doze off at intervals throughout the day, often at inappropriate times. Overall, however, a person with narcolepsy usually spends the same amount of time asleep as a person without the condition. It can also disrupt nighttime sleep patterns. The primary symptom of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness, but it may also involve cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. This article outlines the symptoms, causes, and treatment options associated with narcolepsy. Experts believe that around 1 in 2,000 people have narcolepsy. In the United States, it is 50% more likely to affect females than males. Symptoms tend to appear in a person’s teenage years or early 20s or 30s. ![]() ![]() A person with narcolepsy may fall asleep at any time, such as while talking or driving. In severe cases, it can negatively impact social activities, school, work, and overall health and well-being. Narcolepsy can range in severity from mild to severe. It also features abnormal rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and can involve cataplexy, or brief attacks of muscle weakness and tone that can lead to body collapse. Lifestyle tips and some drugs may help manage it. It likely stems from the lack of hypocretin, a neurotransmitter. is a long-term neurological condition that causes fragmented sleep, daytime sleepiness, brain fog, and other symptoms. Treatment paradigms for cataplexy in narcolepsy: Past, present, and future. Cataplexy and its mimics: Clinical recognition and management. rare-diseases/narcolepsy/?filter=ovr-ds-resources Thinking outside the box: Cataplexy without narcolepsy. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. If antidepressants don’t work, sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is often the next choice. Off-label means the medications are intended to treat symptoms of depression, but they’ve also been found to relieve symptoms of cataplexy.Īntidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants are common options. ![]() When treatment is required, off-label antidepressant medication is the most common. Your doctor might have to try a few different medications to find one that works right for you. There’s no cure for cataplexy, but medications are often an effective way of reducing episodes. That way, someone can keep an eye out for episodes to ensure the person with cataplexy is safe if one occurs.īut if episodes are frequent, treatment might be needed. Instead, their doctor might recommend that they let trusted family, friends, and coworkers know about the episodes. For instance, people who have mild cataplexy episodes once or twice a year might not need a formal treatment plan. Treatment for cataplexy depends on how often your episodes happen and how severe they are. How is cataplexy without narcolepsy treated?
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