Narcolepsy is a disorder of the nervous system. It causes
drowsiness and sleep attacks. It’s also known as daytime sleep
disorder and cataplexy. The Center for Narcolepsy (CN) at
Stanford University School of Medicine reports that one in every
2,000 Americans has narcolepsy. Most people with narcolepsy are
undiagnosed and untreated. Narcolepsy isn’t a deadly disease.
However, accidents that occur during an episode can injure or
kill. Symptoms of narcolepsy usually begin between the ages of
10 and 25. People who develop the condition sooner tend to have
more severe symptoms. The cause of narcolepsy is unknown.
However, people with narcolepsy have decreased amounts of a
brain protein called hypocretin. Hypocretin helps to regulate
the cycling of wakefulness and REM sleep. Some scientists think
low hypocretin levels may be caused by an autoimmune response.
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks healthy cells.
Other factors such as stress, exposure to toxins, and infection
also may play a role in narco