Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a medical condition where there is inability of the brain to regulate waking and sleeping cycles normally. A person suffering from narcolepsy is likely to have an overwhelming urge to fall asleep. While in some cases, a person may fall asleep for a few seconds or few minutes, others may remain asleep for much longer. Such episodes of daytime sleepiness can be dangerous and disabling. Narcolepsy can result in excessive daytime sleepiness or sudden sleep attacks. In many cases, narcolepsy remains undiagnosed.

Major symptoms of narcolepsy include REM sleep disturbance, cataplexy, hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Cataplexy indicates sudden loss of muscle control leading to weakness. This can occur during the initial attacks of narcolepsy. Such episodes are not to be confused with seizures. While some patients notice weakness in some muscles such as eyelids, others may suffer a loss of tone in all voluntary muscles. Hallucinations are another symptom of narcolepsy. The patient is likely to experience delusions that can often be frightening. Sleep paralysis refers to a temporary inability to move while suffering a sleeping attack during narcolepsy. The patient might notice this while falling asleep or waking up.

Diagnostic tests such as overnight polysomnography or Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) are used. Polysomnogram involves placement of electrodes on your scalp before falling asleep. This test measures the movement of the eyes and muscles and monitors the electrical activity of the brain. MSLT is a test to check how long it takes you to fall asleep. This throws light on the sleep patterns of the patient and helps in understanding and measuring sleep latency. Medications for narcolepsy can help reduce signs and symptoms. These medicines may interfere with other health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Antidepressants can reduce symptoms of cataplexy and sleep paralysis.

EEG

EEG or Electroencephalography is a diagnostic test that measures the brain's electrical activity. This non-invasive test is used to detect any abnormality in the brain's electrical impulses. Nearly 16 - 25 electrodes are placed over different areas of your head and they record electrical activity. A study of the pattern of these electrical activities of the brain help in detecting any abnormality. Electroencephalography helps in detecting causes of seizures, epilepsy or degenerative diseases. It helps in evaluating head injury, tumor or infections. But an EEG cannot help diagnose mental illness. Sleep disorders such as narcolepsy can be evaluated with the help of EEG. An EEG helps confirm brain death in comatose patients. Brain tumors, encephalitis, meningitis, Parkinson's disease or cerebral infarct can be detected with EEG test.

The patient will need to lie down with eyes closed during the EEG test. Sometimes the doctor may ask the patient to breathe deeply or look at bright flickering lights. Sometimes the patient may also be asked to go to sleep. The patient must not consume caffeine, tea, cola or chocolate for about 8 hours prior to the EEG test. The hair must be free of oils, creams or sprays. Medications such as tranquilizers, muscle relaxants and anti-epilepsy medicines might need to be discontinued for a short period.