Neurology

Narcolepsy has a genetic component and can rarely run in families, but most narcolepsy is not inherited.

If you are wondering if you have narcolepsy, you can start by assessing whether you have symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness. For example, you can ask yourself if you have the sudden urge to sleep even after getting a full night's sleep, or if you fall asleep in the middle of eating, working, or talking with someone. To be certain about a diagnosis of narcolepsy, you will need to consult a healthcare provider. This healthcare provider will provide a personalized medical assessment of your symptoms. Also, the healthcare provider may recommend specialized sleep testing, such as the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (which evaluates how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day).

Muscle weakness can be caused by a wide variety of health conditions, including but not limited to certain medications, long-term heavy alcohol use, and nerve or muscle problems. Also, the common causes of muscle weakness vary depending on whether the weakness affects muscles all over the body versus only part of the body (for example, weakness may only affect the legs or one leg). Another consideration is that the common causes of muscle weakness differ depending on a person's age. A healthcare provider can provide a personalized medical assessment of your muscle weakness symptoms in order to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment plan.

To diagnose narcolepsy, a healthcare provider usually starts by asking you questions about your health, including questions about your sleep and sleepiness. The healthcare provider also will perform a physical examination of your body. After considering your answers to questions and your physical examination results, the healthcare provider might order some testing. One common approach often used for narcolepsy is a combination of tests. The first test is called polysomnography (PSG), which is an overnight test in a specialized test facility. The morning after the PSG, there is a second test called the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), which measures how quickly a person falls asleep in a quiet environment during the day.

Narcolepsy without cataplexy mainly causes excessive daytime sleepiness. In addition, some people with narcolepsy may experience sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and/or disturbed nighttime sleep, but not everyone with narcolepsy experiences these particular symptoms.

To diagnose narcolepsy, a healthcare provider usually starts by asking you questions about your health, including questions about your sleep and sleepiness. The healthcare provider also will perform a physical examination of your body. After considering your answers to questions and your physical examination results, the healthcare provider might order some testing. One common approach often used for narcolepsy is a combination of tests. The first test is called polysomnography (PSG), which is an overnight test in a specialized test facility. The morning after the PSG, there is a second test called the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), which measures how quickly a person falls asleep in a quiet environment during the day.

Narcolepsy type 1 is different from narcolepsy type 2 in two key ways. First, people with narcolepsy type 1 can experience cataplexy, which is episodic sudden muscle weakness usually triggered by strong emotions. Second, people with narcolepsy type 1 have low levels of a brain chemical called hypocretin (even if these individuals do not have cataplexy). In contrast, cataplexy and low hypocretin levels do not occur in narcolepsy type 2.

If you are wondering if you have narcolepsy, you can start by looking for symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness. These symptoms include having the sudden urge to sleep even after getting a full night's sleep or falling asleep in the middle of eating, working, or talking with someone. To be certain about a diagnosis of narcolepsy, you will need to consult a healthcare provider. This healthcare provider will provide a personalized assessment of your symptoms to determine if you have narcolepsy.

While myasthenia gravis cannot be completely reversed, treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Yes, lifestyle factors can contribute to restless leg syndrome (RLS), but they are not the only cause. Other factors like genetics and health conditions may also play a role.

Myasthenia gravis can be life-threatening if left untreated, as it may lead to severe muscle weakness affecting breathing and swallowing.

Tingling in the hands can sometimes be a sign of a neurological condition, but it can also be caused by other issues like poor circulation or repetitive movements.

Tactile hallucinations during sleep paralysis are sensations of touch that feel real but aren't. These can happen because the brain is awake, but the body is still in a sleep state.

Tactile hallucinations, like feeling things on your skin that aren't there, can happen during alcohol withdrawal, especially in severe cases like delirium tremens.

To help prevent sleep paralysis, try to get enough sleep, manage stress, and maintain a regular sleep schedule.

Restless leg syndrome causes uncomfortable feelings in the legs, like tingling, burning, or itching, especially at night or when resting.

Pain from restless leg syndrome can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes. It's important to talk to a doctor about the best treatment options.

Myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome are both disorders that affect muscles, but they have different causes and symptoms. Myasthenia gravis usually affects the eyes and face first, while Lambert-Eaton syndrome often starts with weakness in the legs.

Tension headaches are very common and can often be prevented by managing stress, getting enough sleep, and practicing relaxation techniques.

Restless leg syndrome affects about 5-10% of adults, making it a fairly common condition.