Suppose you live, work, or play in and around Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, and experience erratic/restless sleep. In that case, it is important to contact Dr. Jeremy McConnell or Dr. Kunal Agarwal at Florida Sleep Specialists because narcolepsy can significantly interrupt one’s daily life.

What Is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy refers to a chronic neurological disorder that influences the brain’s ability to regulate sleep and wake cycles properly. Those with narcolepsy are often sleepy during the day and can even fall asleep suddenly at unexpected times – without any warning.

The Symptoms of Narcolepsy Symptoms

In addition to concentration and memory difficulties and an overpowering need to sleep during daylight hours – despite getting sufficient sleep, the main narcolepsy symptoms include:

• Sudden loss of muscle tone (a.k.a. cataplexy)—This may manifest as a minor weakness or an entire collapse, often generated by overwhelming emotions.
• Hallucinations—Vivid dreams/sounds when falling asleep may be frightening.
• Disrupted nighttime sleep—Maintaining sleep with frequent wake-ups during the night becomes challenging.
• Sleep paralysis—This refers to a temporary inability to move/speak when waking up/falling asleep.

The Causes of Narcolepsy

The exact cause of narcolepsy has not fully been documented or understood; however, several factors/elements are thought to contribute:

• Genetics - A specific gene variation is present in 9 out of 10 individuals with Type 1 narcolepsy.
• Insufficient hypocretin – A certain type of narcolepsy (i.e., Type 1) is often caused by a deficiency in the chemical that regulates wakefulness in the brain.
• Autoimmune issues - Immune systems may erroneously attack cells or cell receptors.
• Environmental triggers - Various triggers may cause narcolepsy, such as:
  • Hormone changes
  • Stress
  • Infection

Diagnosing Narcolepsy

The diagnosis of this condition includes an assessment of one’s symptoms and a complete medical history, which your specialist in narcolepsy in Bradenton and Sarasota, FL, can help with. They’ll also need:

• A genetic test to determine the presence of specific gene variations. 
• Overnight sleep studies (for example – polysomnography/sleep latency exams) to determine sleep patterns/daytime sleepiness.
• Measurement of hypocretin levels.

Plus, a differential diagnosis seeks to rule out other conditions that may be causing the disruptive symptoms. While there is no current cure, there are various treatments to help best manage symptoms so individuals with narcolepsy can lead fulfilling lives.

Contact a Leading Sleep Specialist Today

It’s essential to identify and treat narcolepsy early as this allows for the effective management of the condition – improving one’s quality of life. 

If you suspect you or someone you love/know has sleep issues or symptoms as noted above, contact Dr. McConnell or Dr. Agarwal at Florida Sleep Specialists at their Bradenton, FL, clinic at (941) 792-8383 or the Sarasota, FL, clinic at (941) 827-0701.