Understanding Cataplexy & Narcolepsy: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Cataplexy & Narcolepsy

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Narcolepsy without Cataplexy - Narcolepsy with Cataplexy

General

Cataplexy is a sudden and transient episode of muscle weakness accompanied by full conscious awareness, typically triggered by emotions such as laughing, crying, or terror. Cataplexy affects approximately 70% of people who have narcolepsy - a neurological condition that causes extreme sleepiness during the day and unexpected episodes of falling asleep. narcolepsy with cataplexy is caused by a lack of hypocretin (also called orexin) in your brain, a chemical which regulates arousal and has a role in stabilization of the transition between wake and sleep states. Cataplexy without narcolepsy is rare.

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Signs & symptoms

Symptoms of cataplexy can be different for each person. Cataplectic episodes also vary in length. Some possible symptoms of cataplexy episodes include: * drooping eyelids * jaw dropping * head falling to the side * whole body falling to the ground * muscle twitching in addition to the extreme sleepiness and unexpected episodes of falling asleep, other common symptoms of narcolepsy include: * feeling paralyzed while you’re falling asleep * hallucinations before you fall asleep * hallucinations when waking up in the middle of the night

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of narcolepsy and cataplexy can be made by: * symptom presentation * sleep studies * Measurement of hypocretin (orexin) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Treatment

treatment may include: * lifestyle modifications, such as daytime napping, maintaining a regular and adequate sleep schedule, Avoidance of certain drugs. * Psychosocial support * medications

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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