NARCOLEPSY Meaning and
Definition
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Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and recurring, often uncontrollable, episodes of sudden and brief sleep attacks. Individuals suffering from narcolepsy often experience sudden bouts of overwhelming sleepiness that can occur at any time during the day, regardless of the circumstances or level of physical activity. These sleep attacks can be so intense that they can disrupt daily activities, impair social interactions, and pose potential risks such as accidents or injuries. Aside from excessive daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy can also manifest in several other symptoms including cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations, which are commonly referred to as hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations.
Cataplexy is the sudden and temporary loss of muscle tone, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, anger, or surprise. Sleep paralysis refers to the temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, and is often accompanied by hallucinations. The hallucinations experienced in narcolepsy are vivid and sometimes frightening, resembling dream-like scenarios that occur during the transition between wakefulness and sleep.
Narcolepsy is generally attributed to a deficiency of hypocretin, a neurotransmitter that regulates wakefulness and sleep. It is believed to be caused by an autoimmune response in which the immune system erroneously attacks and destroys the cells in the brain that produce hypocretin. While there is currently no cure for narcolepsy, various treatment options, including medication and lifestyle adjustments, can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for individuals with this disorder.
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1. Petit mal. 2. Paroxysmal sleep.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymology of NARCOLEPSY
The word narcolepsy is derived from the Greek roots narke meaning numbness or stupor and lepsis meaning seizure. Therefore, the term narcolepsy can be translated to mean seizure-like episodes of numbness or numbness attack.
Similar spelling word for NARCOLEPSY
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