Narcolepsy - what is this disease, the cause of the? Description, symptoms and prevention of the disease narcolepsy

sleeping disease (or disease Gelineau) - disease, which is characterized by excessive sleepiness. Patients often disturb sleep attacks.

Narcolepsy - Causes

The causes of narcolepsy are still unknown. Expected, that the cause of the disease may be a violation of metabolic processes in the brain, in particular, sharing violation orexin - agents, which is responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle.

symptoms of narcolepsy

Narcolepsy observed excessive daytime sleepiness. Most often this manifests in the form of attacks increased drowsiness or sudden sleep. Man is able to resist such a request to sleep, however, the patient worried about weakness, that, yet, It causes a person to fall asleep after a while. After such an attack, a person feels rested.

Narcolepsy occur nocturnal awakenings, after which a seriously ill sleep. Sometimes the attacks are concerned the rapid fall of muscle tone (cataplexy). For Example, such an attack can be triggered by emotional overload, stresses, and can also occur spontaneously. When cataplexy man falls to the floor, but did not lose consciousness.

When falling asleep or waking the patient may disturb hallucinations. Narcolepsy may be associated with sleepy paralysis, when, after waking the man for some time can not move. Sleep paralysis may last for a few minutes, thus accompanied by a feeling of fear.

Narcolepsy - Diagnosis

Diagnosis of narcolepsy involves performing the following diagnostic measures:

• History taking and analysis of patient complaints. The doctor is interested in information about, How long were the patient's first symptoms of narcolepsy, and whether the problem is from someone of his relatives. Also, the doctor asks the patient about medications, which takes the patient.
• Neurological examination.
• Polysomnography - Sleep graphic registration processes. When polysomnography on the patient's head superimposed special sensors, that capture the brain's electrical activity, muscle tone and eye movements.
• Test multiple latency to sleep. This diagnostic method involves overlaying the electrodes on the patient's head for recording pulses. In this case the person to fall asleep during the offer 20 minutes in 4-5 attempts. For narcolepsy typically appear immediately after sleep dreams.
• Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. These research methods allow layers to study the structure of the brain, and exclude damages in the pituitary and hypothalamus, is also possible in which similar symptoms.

Narcolepsy - Patient action

At occurrence of narcolepsy symptoms should seek an appointment with a neurologist.

Treatment of narcolepsy

Normalization of sleep. The patient must train yourself to go to bed and get up at the same time. Medical treatment for narcolepsy includes administration of drugs, normalizes the activity of the nervous system, eg, ksantinы, psychostimulants and other.

The patient should avoid working at night, as well as from contact with dangerous machinery and vehicles. When you work for such devices may suddenly develop an attack of sleep.

Narcolepsy - Complications

Narcolepsy may experience chronic sleep disorders, depression, decreased sex drive. Bouts of sleep can cause physical harm to the patient. For Example, If at this time the patient is driving or dealing with dangerous tools, the sharp fall asleep can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Prevention of narcolepsy

Because the exact causes of narcolepsy is unknown, and the special methods for the prevention of narcolepsy does not exist. In order to protect themselves from the dangers of the sudden falling asleep, should give up driving vehicles and work with dangerous machinery.