Narcolepsy

Imagine not being able to control when and where you fall asleep. Not like when you feel a bit sleepy in class. But more like with no prior notice dozing off in the middle of a conversation. Known as Excessive uncontrollable daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy means you’re not in control of when and where you fall asleep. Characterized by a tendency to uncontrollably fall asleep when in relaxed surroundings, it is a chronic sleep disorder affecting 1 in 2,000 to 3,000 people. Some early signs of narcolepsy include daytime sleepiness, loss of muscle tone, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. The cause of the sleep disorder is related to the loss of cells in the brain that secrete hypocretin. Hypocretin is chemical in the brain important for regulating wakefulness. People suffering from it may also suffer from other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome.