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Narcolepsy is typical of a neurological disorder that causes symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness and irresistible urge to fall asleep at any time. Narcolepsy is currently unknown due to a specific cause leading to it, and there is no specific treatment and only measures to improve the condition.1. What is narcolepsy? Is it a neurological disorder?
Narcolepsy is a typical long-term neurological disorder involving a decreased ability to regulate sleep and wake cycles. It is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, irresistible drowsiness. Usually people with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time regardless of circumstances such as work or leisure. Therefore, it can cause many complications that affect quality of life and potentially cause accidents.Sometimes, in some cases, narcolepsy is accompanied by a short-term sudden loss of muscle tone. Meaning a sudden complete loss of control over the action of the muscles, the loss of muscle tone is often caused when the patient has an intense emotion such as when there is sudden bad or good news.
Thus, narcolepsy is a neurological disorder, the cause of which is currently unknown. Because the cause is unknown, there is currently no specific treatment, but positive lifestyle changes can help people control symptoms. In addition, patients need extra help from family, friends, colleagues, and teachers to deal with narcolepsy.
2. What causes narcolepsy?
The exact cause of narcolepsy is currently unknown. It is found that most people with narcolepsy have low levels of hypocretin in the cerebrospinal fluid. In particular, hypocretin is an important substance secreted from the hypothalamus of the brain that helps regulate our alertness and sleep cycle. The exact cause of hypocretin production in the hypothalamus is unknown, but experts suspect that it is due to an immune response.In some cases, about 10% of this disease is related to family factors, genetics play an important role.
Chứng ngủ rũ là điển hình cho một dạng rối loạn thần kinh
3. Symptoms of Narcolepsy
The first symptoms of narcolepsy usually appear between the ages of 10 and 25. These symptoms worsen during the first few years, then persist for a lifetime, if not treated to improve the disease. These symptoms include:Sleeping a lot during the day People with narcolepsy can experience drowsiness and fall asleep anytime, anywhere, and unpredictably. The sudden onset of sleepiness even when the patient is working or resting and cannot resist
Sleeping a lot during the day is often the first symptom that appears and affects the patient most, making it difficult for the patient to exercise central and unable to work effectively.
Sudden decrease or loss of muscle tone This symptom does not occur often, can range from slurred speech to complete weakness of the muscles and can last from a few seconds to several minutes. Loss of muscle tone is uncontrollable and occurs when emotions are intense, usually positive emotions such as laughter or excitement, sometimes negative emotions of fear, surprise or anger.
Depending on the subject, the duration or extent of the decrease or loss of muscle tone is like. But not everyone develops a loss of muscle tone.
Sleep paralysis The patient cannot move because he falls asleep or immediately after waking up, this condition usually lasts very short from a few seconds to a few minutes but is very scary, making the patient afraid. The patient during sleep paralysis feels like being chased or falling into a deep abyss or like there is something heavy on the chest, trying to struggle to get out but can't move the limbs or body. Although you can be aware of the situation and recall it later, you cannot control what is happening to you.
Sleep paralysis is a type of temporary paralysis that often occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is the time when most dreams are in the sleep cycle.
However, not everyone with sleep paralysis has narcolepsy. Many people without narcolepsy have also experienced several episodes of sleep paralysis, especially as children, which are less common in healthy adults.
Other features In addition to the main symptoms, people with narcolepsy may experience other signs such as:
People with narcolepsy may have other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, who Sleep apnea is a disease that sleeps throughout the night and this is a very dangerous sign. Restless legs syndrome, the patient may even have trouble sleeping at night. People with narcolepsy may also bang their hands, kick their feet, or scream when they dream. Some people may remain active during sleep for short periods of time. But when I wake up, I can't remember what I just did. The symptoms of narcolepsy will get worse and will not go away on their own. Therefore, it is best to go to early treatment to be able to overcome and reduce these symptoms.
Ngủ nhiều vào ban ngày là một triệu chứng điển hình của chứng ngủ rũ
4. Harmful effects of narcolepsy
Narcolepsy does not affect the patient's health much, but greatly affects the quality of life and has many potential dangers when participating in traffic or doing dangerous work that requires concentration.This condition reduces work and study productivity. Others may think they are lazy. Affects social relationships and sexual performance. Too much sleep can decrease sex drive or you can oversleep during sex.
Drowsiness can be dangerous for people with narcolepsy. These people's risk of being in a traffic accident increases when they suddenly fall asleep while driving. They can also cut their hands and burn them if they fall asleep while cooking or fall if they work at height.
People with narcolepsy tend to be overweight and obese. Weight gain may be related to medication, inactivity, overeating, low hypocretin, or a combination of these factors.
Chứng ngủ rũ gây nguy hiểm khi tham gia giao thông
5. Some Remedies for Narcolepsy
Currently, there is no specific treatment for narcolepsy. However, symptoms can be improved by measures such as:Make a schedule and do it right: Go to bed and wake up at the same time, at the same time every day. Get enough rest: Take a short nap of about 20-30 minutes during the day. Do not use drugs or products containing nicotine and alcohol. Regular exercise at least 5 times a week, yoga, tai chi, and tai chi are very helpful. In addition to measures to change lifestyle, some drugs can be used such as psychostimulants, antidepressants ... Narcolepsy is a typical of chronic neurological disorders, which causes the disease. not yet known. Treatment helps limit the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. Avoid harmful effects that seriously affect life and risk of accidents.
When patients have sleep problems, especially narcolepsy, they can go to the Psychological Clinic - Vinmec Times City International Hospital. This is the leading prestigious facility in the country in the treatment of diseases related to psychology and mental health. With modern medical equipment and a team of leading experts capable of implementing psychological tests, intensive psychotherapy for medical examination and treatment.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.
