Disease That Causes You To Fall Asleep Randomly – Sleep attacks are often seen as a feature of the sleep disorder narcolepsy; However, it can also occur independently of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is defined as a lack of neurological control over sleep and wakefulness. People suffering from narcolepsy tend to experience excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as intermittent and uncontrollable sudden attacks of sleep. They can occur at any time and during any activity.
Note: The content here is informational in nature but should not be taken as medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice and supervision from a trained professional. If you think you may have any sleep disorder or medical condition, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Disease That Causes You To Fall Asleep Randomly
Although narcolepsy is the main cause of sleep attacks, this may not always be the case. Sleep attacks are also a feature of sleep apnea, the most common sleep disorder in the United States. Sleep apnea means that a person stops breathing several times during sleep throughout the night. It is usually caused by a physical blockage in the throat or chest, such as collapse of the throat muscles, the tongue falling back into the esophagus, or enlargement of the tonsils. Sleep apnea patients often wake up multiple times during the night, even if they don’t remember it. The extremely poor quality of night sleep often leads to excessive daytime sleepiness and, in extreme cases, this can result in sleep attacks.
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Similarly, severe cases of restless legs syndrome can have a major impact on the quality of night sleep. Because patients move frequently and often experience great amounts of pain, their sleep cycles and quality can be badly disrupted. This can again lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and thus sleep attacks.
During a normal sleep cycle, a person goes through the first four stages of sleep before reaching REM sleep, or Rapid Eye Movement sleep. This is the deepest stage of sleep, when the body is paralyzed and most dreaming occurs. During a sleep attack, REM sleep occurs almost instantly. For narcoleptics, REM sleep is also achieved much faster during night sleep hours.
Typically the criterion for a sleep attack is a sudden and irresistible urge to fall asleep, regardless of mood, activity, or environment. Sleep attacks often occur suddenly and without warning and can be extremely jarring to those around them. Sleep attacks can last from a few seconds to several minutes and, in extreme cases, occur multiple times a day.
In narcoleptics, the patient will likely experience some degree of muscle paralysis due to the rapid onset of REM sleep that is characteristic of a sleep attack. They may also feel like they are dreaming and feel disoriented or scared when they wake up.
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Narcolepsy usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 25, but it can occur at any age. It is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as fainting disorder, schizophrenia, or depression.
The direct cause of narcolepsy is not yet known; but scientists now believe it has strong genetic implications. Some researchers believe that narcolepsy is a result of a deficiency of certain sleep hormones produced by the brain. One chemical thought to be particularly associated with narcolepsy is hypocretin. There is also research suggesting that narcoleptics may have abnormalities in the parts of the brain responsible for REM sleep.
If you think you may be suffering from narcolepsy or another sleep disorder, please contact your medical professional.
Narcolepsy can also be caused by an autoimmune disorder and sometimes occurs as a result of head trauma.
What Is Narcolepsy?
Besides sleep attacks, other symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle control), hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Less common symptoms include memory loss, headaches, depression, and automatic behavior (undertaking a task with little or no recollection afterwards).
Sleep attacks are often a symptom of an untreated sleep disorder (most often narcolepsy, but also sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome). In the latter two, it is a result of poor sleep quality, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness. Excessive daytime sleepiness plays a role in narcolepsy, but hormonal imbalances and neurological abnormalities are also thought to contribute to sleep attacks.
Sleep attacks can be especially dangerous for those who drive or operate heavy machinery, but can even be dangerous during less risky activities, such as walking down stairs. If you’re experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or think you’re at risk of an attack, finding a safe space is absolutely crucial.
If someone you are with is having a sleep attack, know that although it may be jarring, it is not actually a danger. Try to help them reach a comfortable and safe sleeping area and do not try to wake them as this can be confusing and scary. Once they wake up, advise them to seek medical attention if it is a new behavior or something they are not used to. People who experience sleep attacks can often feel embarrassed or ashamed about it, so try to be reassuring and sensitive to their needs.
Sleep Paralysis: What Is It, And How Can You Cope With It?
Although there is no cure for narcolepsy, some of the most debilitating symptoms can be controlled with medications. By treating these symptoms of narcolepsy, the frequency and severity of sleep attacks can be greatly reduced. Again, it is best to talk to a doctor/medical professional for treatment options and treatment options.
There are also lifestyle changes that can help those who suffer from sleep attacks, both related to and not associated with narcolepsy. Things like avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, reducing consumption of heavy meals, keeping good sleep hygiene, exercising and establishing a daily nap schedule can help minimize the risk of disrupted sleep and fatigue.
Annie Walton Doyle is a freelance writer living in Manchester, England. Her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, The Daily Telegraph, Professional Photography Magazine, Bustle, Ravishly and many more. When not writing, She enjoys pubs, knitting, nature and mysteries. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disease that includes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms interfere with functioning at school, at work, and in social situations. ADHD is a chronic condition that persists into adulthood for the majority of people, but careful symptom management can greatly improve the quality of life of people with ADHD.
ADHD begins in childhood and is seen in approximately 5% of children. Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , but it is more commonly diagnosed in boys. Estimated 25% to 50% Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. People with ADHD experience sleep problems ranging from insomnia to secondary sleep conditions. Physicians are beginning to understand the importance of treating sleep problems for ADHD patients and their families and the positive impact of healthy sleep on quality of life Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source .
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Beginning in adolescence, people with ADHD are more likely to experience shorter sleep duration, problems falling asleep and staying asleep, and an increased risk of developing sleep disorders. Nightmares are also common in children with ADHD Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source, especially those who suffer from insomnia. Sleep problems in ADHD tend to increase with age, but sleep problems in early childhood Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source is a risk factor for future occurrence of ADHD symptoms.
Sleep problems in ADHD appear to differ depending on the type of ADHD. Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . People with predominantly inattentive symptoms are more likely to have a later bedtime, while people with predominantly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms are more likely to suffer from insomnia. People with the combination of hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive ADHD experience both poor sleep quality and a later bedtime.
Many ADHD symptoms are similar to symptoms of sleep deprivation. Among other things, ADHD sleep problems in adults can lead to forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating during the day. Fatigue in children may manifest with hyperactive and impulsive behavior. It can be difficult to tell whether these problems are due to ADHD or lack of sleep. This may lead to incorrect diagnoses and may also cause sleep disorders to go unnoticed. That’s why experts often recommend screening patients for sleep problems before prescribing medications for ADHD.
Sleep problems associated with ADHD may be a side effect of disruption of arousal, wakefulness, and regulatory circuits in the brain. Other researchers believe it is related to ADHD
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