Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder where the patient experiences daytime drowsiness and sudden sleep attacks. This condition makes it difficult for narcolepsy patients to be awake for long periods of time, making them feel drowsy and low in energy. This article shares the signs and symptoms of narcolepsy that one must watch out for.

Symptoms of narcolepsy
Once the symptoms of narcolepsy start showing up, they must be immediately addressed to prevent the condition’s progression. As there’s no definitive cure for narcolepsy, one will have to resort to medication and therapy in managing the symptoms.

Daytime sleepiness
This is the primary symptom of narcolepsy. The patient may go off to sleep without any prior warning. That means, in case the patient is at work or a social event, they may pass out suddenly and rest for a few minutes or hours. The patient will wake up refreshed but will feel drowsy again in no time.

Lack of focus and concentration
Excessive sleepiness can result in a patient’s lack of focus and alertness in a professional setup, making them incompetent at work. This illness could delay timelines, and the patient may not be termed as a reliable resource.

Loss of muscle tone
Sudden loss of muscle tone is one of the risk factors contributing to the disease, which can turn into the weakness of muscles, slurred speech, and a number of other physical changes like drooping of the head and buckling of knees. Also known as cataplexy, this condition may occur suddenly among patients showing extreme emotions like laughter, excitement, anger, surprise, or fear.

Sleep paralysis
Patients with this illness may experience sleep paralysis, which means they may not be able to speak or move before falling asleep or upon waking. While these episodes may only last for a few seconds or minutes, they could concern the patient and their loved ones.

Rapid eye movement
Usually, people have rapid eye movement when they are fast asleep and dreaming. However, people with narcolepsy may experience rapid eye movement at any time of the day.

Hallucinations
Hallucinations may occur when the patient is asleep or soon upon waking. Most patients with hypnagogic hallucinations may live their dreams as reality.