Narcolepsy: I can get (no) sleep !

Narcolepsy is a chronic (long-lasting) sleep disorder with no known cause. It affects the body's central nervous system, which is made up of nerves that carry messages from the brain to other parts of the body. When a person has narcolepsy, messages about when to sleep and when to be awake can get mixed up. People with narcolepsy have extreme daytime sleepiness, even after getting enough sleep during the night. People with narcolepsy are likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Daytime sleep attacks may occur with or without warning and the person cannot resist them. These attacks can occur many times in a single day. Drowsiness may last for long periods of time. Also, a person’s nighttime sleep may be poor from waking up many times.

If not controlled with medication, narcolepsy can cause serious problems in a person's personal, social, and work life. It can also limit a person's activities, such as driving a car, work, and exercising. Studies show that narcolepsy may run in families. Narcolepsy is sometimes mistaken for other illnesses, such as depression or epilepsy, or the side effects of medications. You should be checked by a sleep medicine specialist for narcolepsy if:

You often feel extremely sleepy during the day, even after having had a full night's sleep.
You fall asleep when you do not want to, such as while having dinner, talking, driving, or working.
You collapse suddenly or your neck muscles feel too weak to hold up your head when you laugh or become angry, surprised, or shocked.
You are not able to talk or move for a short period of time when falling asleep or waking up.