Narcolepsy and sleep apnea, two primary sleep disorders, frequently occur together. Another sleep than occurs more rarely with narcolepsy is periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS).

In both of these disorders, specific sleep disturbances cause multiple arousals during the night, resulting in excessive sleepiness the next day. If these disorders exist in addition to narcolepsy, it is critical that they be identified through an overnight sleep study. All underlying caused of EDS must be treated in order to provide effective management of symptoms.

• Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized primarily by persistent and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which is usually the first symptom to appear. Other symptom may or may not develop over a period of years.
• Narcolepsy is easily identifiable when cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control, is preventing in additional to EDS.
• Narcolepsy is a neurological, physical condition, not mental, psychological, or emotional. It is through to be caused by an abnormality in the wake-sleep area of the brain.
• Narcolepsy frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as fatigue, depression or some other form of mental illness.
• Narcolepsy typically experienced a decade or longer before it is diagnosed, after seeing an average of five or more physicians.
• Narcolepsy is believed to be of genetic origin with initial onset triggered by environment factors such as abrupt changed in wake/sleep schedule, illness, accident, drug abuse, hormonal changes or vital/bacterial agents. Relatives of a narcoleptic person are eight times more likely to have some disorder of excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Narcolepsy is apt in begin in teens or early twenties but may begin at any age.
• Narcolepsy is diagnosed by history of symptoms and sleep lab tests.
• Narcolepsy is incurable once it sets in.
• Narcolepsy is never fatal in herself, but symptoms may result in fatal accidents.
• Narcolepsy is usually manageable with drugs, changes in lifestyle, counseling and support from others.
• Narcolepsy is unpredictable. Varies greatly among individuals as to onset and progression, type and severity of symptoms and response to treatment. Individual symptoms may also differ from time to time or over a period of time, but the disorder generally is not considered to progressive.
• Narcolepsy is potentially devastating in its effects on self-esteem, relationships, education, employment, health insurance, social life, activities, and quality of life in general.
• Narcolepsy is found equally in both sex.
• Narcolepsy affects an estimated 150,000-250,000 people in the U.S, most of whom have been diagnosed.
• Narcolepsy found in all races but not in equal proportions. Japan reports much higher prevalence rate, Israel a much lower rate than of the United State. Reasons for the reported differences are not yet known.

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