Narcolepsy Research Paper
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. Narcolepsy in the only known neurological disorder that affects the brain in such a dramatic way where symptoms can include; sleep paralysis (cataplexy) and hallucinations. According to Jerome Siegel, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA symptoms such as cataplexy can be brought on by "laughter, embarrassment, social interactions with strangers, sudden anger, athletic exertion or sexual intercourse may trigger an episode." (Siegel, 2000) There is no cure for narcolepsy and is often misdiagnosed for depression, epilepsy, and fainting and sleep deprivation.
Many people when they think of narcolepsy tend to laugh at its …show more content…
In the article Mr. Siegel identifies the symptoms and how through many research studies within the past several years, researchers are beginning to unveil many of the mysteries surrounding the disorder of narcolepsy. Within citing many research projects that have gone on and including the research Mr. Siegel himself has spear-headed he has identified the specific regions of the brain that appear to be affected in one of the symptoms that come with narcolepsy, which is cataplexy, according to Mr. Siegel "have discovered that they are the same regions that normally prevent us from moving in synchrony with our dreams (for example, thrashing our legs when we dream we are in a race)."(Siegel, 2000) Cataplexy is definitely one of the most interesting symptoms of narcolepsy; this symptom is when there is a loss of skeletal muscle tone without the loss of consciousness. What could bring on the cataplectic attack of a narcoleptic individual would be such things as laughter, embarrassment, any social dealings with strangers, anger, exercise and sexual intercourse. Of course the most incapacitating symptom is the daytime sleepiness. This poses a big problem for narcoleptics whether driving a vehicle, or job related duties. Narcoleptics are potentially at high risk for car accidents and far as job related duties it is …show more content…
With all the entertainment and jokes that come with this sleep disorder, we can see that it is not so funny after all and that instead can be quite dangerous. Although there is still no cure for narcolepsy we have seen that with medication, education on the disorder, counseling, support from family members and friends, that there can be some relief from the symptoms such as cataplexy and hallucinations. With the information given we can better understand what actually takes place when a narcoleptic has such dramatic symptoms and be more empathetic to their
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. Narcolepsy in the only known neurological disorder that affects the brain in such a dramatic way where symptoms can include; sleep paralysis (cataplexy) and hallucinations. According to Jerome Siegel, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA symptoms such as cataplexy can be brought on by "laughter, embarrassment, social interactions with strangers, sudden anger, athletic exertion or sexual intercourse may trigger an episode." (Siegel, 2000) There is no cure for narcolepsy and is often misdiagnosed for depression, epilepsy, and fainting and sleep deprivation.
Many people when they think of narcolepsy tend to laugh at its …show more content…
In the article Mr. Siegel identifies the symptoms and how through many research studies within the past several years, researchers are beginning to unveil many of the mysteries surrounding the disorder of narcolepsy. Within citing many research projects that have gone on and including the research Mr. Siegel himself has spear-headed he has identified the specific regions of the brain that appear to be affected in one of the symptoms that come with narcolepsy, which is cataplexy, according to Mr. Siegel "have discovered that they are the same regions that normally prevent us from moving in synchrony with our dreams (for example, thrashing our legs when we dream we are in a race)."(Siegel, 2000) Cataplexy is definitely one of the most interesting symptoms of narcolepsy; this symptom is when there is a loss of skeletal muscle tone without the loss of consciousness. What could bring on the cataplectic attack of a narcoleptic individual would be such things as laughter, embarrassment, any social dealings with strangers, anger, exercise and sexual intercourse. Of course the most incapacitating symptom is the daytime sleepiness. This poses a big problem for narcoleptics whether driving a vehicle, or job related duties. Narcoleptics are potentially at high risk for car accidents and far as job related duties it is …show more content…
With all the entertainment and jokes that come with this sleep disorder, we can see that it is not so funny after all and that instead can be quite dangerous. Although there is still no cure for narcolepsy we have seen that with medication, education on the disorder, counseling, support from family members and friends, that there can be some relief from the symptoms such as cataplexy and hallucinations. With the information given we can better understand what actually takes place when a narcoleptic has such dramatic symptoms and be more empathetic to their