6 Common Misconceptions About Narcolepsy
Most people know about sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea but not about narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that affects the way the brain controls sleep-wake cycles and leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden muscle weakness, and vivid hallucinations, and sleep paralysis while waking up or falling asleep. It is estimated to be seriously underdiagnosed and usually goes undetected for years after symptoms occur. Let’s look at some common myths about this lesser-known sleep condition:
1. People with narcolepsy just need to sleep more than others
In fact, narcolepsy has nothing to do with sleep duration. People with the condition can sleep the recommended number of hours at night and still be extremely tired during the day. Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that affects the way the brain controls periods of sleep and wakefulness, meaning the signal to sleep or wake up can come at the wrong times.
Unfortunately, narcolepsy is an incurable problem. However, it can be managed with the proper treatment involving a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
2. People with narcolepsy don’t lack sleep
Many narcolepsy sufferers can also experience trouble falling asleep. They often also develop sleep apnea. In fact, sleep apnea and narcolepsy often coexist. In addition to treating narcolepsy, patients need to treat sleep apnea as well.
Narcolepsy actually interferes with the ability to sleep well at night causing people to feel like they’re not sleeping well at night.
3. Narcolepsy doesn’t affect overall health
Narcolepsy is a dangerous condition that can affect health in different ways. Narcolepsy puts a person at risk for sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and unusual behaviors during sleep such as dream enactment or sleepwalking.
Narcolepsy can also contribute to obesity. People with the condition are lacking a peptide in the brain that also regulates diet and hunger. Plus, scientists have found that narcolepsy has been linked to poor mental health and reduced quality of life.
4. Narcolepsy is a rare disorder
No, narcolepsy is not a rare disease. It affects nearly 1 in 2,000 people, however, the actual numbers are likely higher, since doctors aren’t sure exactly how many people have this condition.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed or missed altogether. And the Center for Narcolepsy at Stanford University in California notes that since many narcolepsy sufferers are undiagnosed, they’re also not being treated for the condition.
5. People with narcolepsy can’t drive a car
There is a myth that people with narcolepsy can’t drive. As long as the person is being treated and it’s deemed safe, they can drive a car. Most states don’t specifically list narcolepsy as a reason to revoke someone’s license, but some states name it as a disorder that might impact the ability to operate a motor vehicle. It’s essential for narcolepsy patients not to drive if they feel sleepy during the day.
6. People with narcolepsy can suddenly pass out during laughing or talking
When a person with narcolepsy is depicted as doing something like laughing or walking and then suddenly falling completely asleep, that’s not true. People often confuse cataplexy with narcolepsy. Cataplexy is a condition that’s characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone or strength, often triggered by strong emotion, such as excitement, fear, anger, or happiness.
Though some people with narcolepsy can experience cataplexy, not every patient has it. There are two main types of narcolepsy: Type 1 involves cataplexy; type 2 doesn’t. In reality, people are more likely to fall asleep when they’re doing a passive activity, like sitting at a desk or watching a boring movie.
