📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
In our everyday lives, we often take wakefulness for granted, assuming it to be a natural and effortless state. However, there is a lesser-known reality that some individuals face, where the boundaries between being awake and asleep become blurred. It is a reality where individuals struggle to influence their decision to stay awake or sleep. Caused by a condition that brings its own set of challenges, it requires a unique approach to manage the same to ensure smooth functioning. But, what disorder is it? It’s narcolepsy – a rare disease of excessive sleepiness, affecting the normal demarcation between sleep and being awake.
In the literal sense, the term ‘narcolepsy’ is derived from the Greek words ‘narco‘ and ‘lepsy‘, which when translated, implies a fit of stupor. Dr Lancelot Mark Pinto, Consultant Pulmonologist and Epidemiologist, PD Hinduja Hospital explained that individuals with narcolepsy have deep sleep (or rapid eye movement/REM sleep) intruding into wakefulness, making it difficult for them to stay awake. “It is the second most common cause of disabling daytime sleepiness after obstructive sleep apnea,” he said.
Dr Pinto further shared that the condition is characterised by the classic three indicators of excessive daytime sleepiness – cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone, resulting in a feeling of “knees bucking and falling down” or the sudden inability to maintain posture), hallucinations while falling asleep (flashing lights, persons standing by the bedside etc) and sleep paralysis (waking up but being unable to move). “Individuals have the above three symptoms in varying combinations, but one does not need to have all four,” the expert said.
Agreeing, Dr Vinny Sood, Senior Consultant, Neurologist, Max Hospital, Gurugram said that the cause of narcolepsy depends upon the type of narcolepsy, such as narcolepsy 1, narcolepsy 2, etc. “In type 1 narcolepsy, there is a primary deficiency of hypocretin in the hypothalamic area of the brain. Secondary narcolepsies occur due to certain problem in the hypothalamic area of the brain, like brain infections, brain tumours and strokes,” Dr Sood said, adding that the risk factor for developing narcolepsy is primarily genetic. While it can occur at any age, the condition primarily affects young males.
Dr Pinto concurred and said that the disease tends to aggregate in families, so those with a close relative with narcolepsy are more prone to develop it. “Sudden onset sleepiness needs to also be investigated to rule out a brain tumour or a stroke. Obstructive sleep apnea and sleep deprivation are possibly the commonest causes of excessive sleepiness during the day, and one needs to rule these out, as they can mimic the disease.”
Sharing statistical data, the expert said that narcolepsy affects 0.03-0.16 per cent of the general population, although the prevalence varies widely across the world. “The highest prevalence has been reported from Japan where one in six hundred people are affected by this disease. Prevalence in the Indian population is largely unknown, and the disease is reported more commonly in men. The risk of a first-degree relative developing narcolepsy is 10-40 times higher than that of the general population, suggesting a strong genetic predisposition. The prevalence of the disease peaks around puberty and a smaller peak occurs between 35 and 45 years of age,” Dr Pinto said.
As explained, narcolepsy often brings about severe sleepiness, leading to difficulties in concentration and resulting in poor performance at work. “Individuals experience what is known as ‘sleep attacks,’ where they unexpectedly fall asleep at inappropriate times, often with little warning. The memory of these episodes may or may not be retained, and typically, individuals feel rejuvenated after these brief naps,” he said.
In addition to that, experts highlighted that individuals with narcolepsy often struggle with poor sleep quality, experiencing fragmented sleep and frequent spontaneous awakenings. “It is worth noting that other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and REM sleep behaviour disorder are more prevalent among narcolepsy patients compared to the general population,” Dr Pinto said.
To prevent or manage narcolepsy, Dr Vipul Gupta, Chief, Neurointerventional Surgery and Co-Chief, Stroke Unit, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram suggested the following measures.
*Have a good sleep hygiene
*Establish a regular bedtime and wake-up time
*Create a sleep environment free from interruptions
*Restrict your usage of electronics just before bed to practise excellent sleep hygiene
*Avoid consumption of alcohol and smoking which can severely disrupt the sleeping pattern
*Lead an active and healthy lifestyle
(Next in the series: Can you really compensate for your lost sleep?)
📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!
