Key Points

• Narcolepsy is a lifelong condition that causes you to fall asleep suddenly during the day.
• Narcolepsy may cause sudden loss of muscle tone and control while awake (cataplexy), the inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up (sleep paralysis), and/or vivid dreams while falling asleep or waking up (hallucinations).
• The symptoms of narcolepsy can cause accidents; injuries; and problems with learning, working, or connecting with others.
• Narcolepsy tends to develop first between the ages of 15 and 30.
• The exact causes of narcolepsy are not known. Many factors probably work together to cause a lack of the brain chemical hypocretin, which promotes wakefulness.
• A diagnosis of narcolepsy is based on symptoms, family history of narcolepsy, and the results of sleep tests.
• There is no cure for narcolepsy, but its symptoms can be relieved with medicines and lifestyle changes.
• Most people with narcolepsy can lead near-normal lives.
• People with narcolepsy have a number of sources of support. These include laws that may provide them more flexibility at work and financial or insurance support, if needed. There are also patient support groups, such as the Narcolepsy Network.