If you fall asleep several times during the day--no matter how hard you try not to--you could have narcolepsy. Approximately 1 in 4,000 people have narcolepsy, but the condition often goes undiagnosed.
Symptoms
The first four symptoms do not automatically indicate narcolepsy. The fifth symptom--cataplexy--does not occur in all individuals with narcolepsy.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Temporary inability to move when you wake up (called "sleep paralysis")
- Sensation of dreaming while you are still awake (sleep-related hallucinations)
- Sleep disruption during the night
- Sudden onset of muscle weakness in response to laughter or strong emotion (called "cataplexy")
Diagnosis
In order to be diagnosed, you will need to come to the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center for:
- A clinical evaluation
- An overnight sleep study
- A daytime naps test, called a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
The MSLT is a daytime test that follows the overnight sleep study. During the MSLT, you are monitored at the Sleep Laboratory and have a series of nap trials during the day.
Treatment
We typically treat narcolepsy with a combination of medications and suggestions for changes in behavior.
Next Steps
Please call 734-936-9068 to schedule a clinic visit.
We will need a referral from your physician before your appointment. We look forward to helping you resolve your sleep issues.