How is narcolepsy defined and what are its key features?

Narcolepsy is a condition that affects how you sleep and feel awake. People with narcolepsy often feel very sleepy during the day, even if they had a good night's sleep. This is called excessive daytime sleepiness. Some people with narcolepsy may also have sudden moments where their muscles get weak, which is known as cataplexy -- but cataplexy does not affect everyone with narcolepsy.

Some Features of Narcolepsy:

1. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: This is when someone feels very tired during the day, making it hard to stay awake.
2. Sleep Disruptions: People with narcolepsy may have trouble sleeping at night and experience vivid dreams or hallucinations.
3. Sleep Paralysis: Some people with narcolepsy occasionally experience the feeling of not being able to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up.
4. Cataplexy: People with a certain type of narcolepsy (specifically, narcolepsy type 1) can experience cataplexy, which involves episodes of sudden muscle weakness or loss of muscle control that are often triggered by strong emotions like laughter, surprise, or anger. People with narcolepsy type 2 do not have cataplexy.

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, a healthcare provider can provide a personalized medical evaluation to determine if they are caused by narcolepsy or another health condition. Also, more information about narcolepsy is available at https://sleepeducation.org/sleep-disorders/narcolepsy/.