Narc Alert!

No! I do not mean the Narcotic Squad is coming to get you; I am alerting you to a Sleep Disorder called Narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological problem that causes a person to fall asleep abruptly during the daytime. Abrupt spells of sleep called “Sleep Attacks,” can occur while driving, eating, laughing, talking, or on the job and in severe cases can be very dangerous.

Narcolepsy is diagnosed by having the following test: PSG (Polysomnogram), MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test), and Hypocretin. PSG will look for any other underline problems such as Apnea or REM. MSLT requires a daytime study with naps every two hours during the day to look for sudden onset of REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement).
Hypocretin tests the Cerebrospinal fluid, and according to the Stanford School of Medicine “90% of Narcolepsy patients have low levels of Hypocretin.”

There is no cure for Narcolepsy but research is ongoing, and medications teamed with lifestyle changes are the best offer available to Narcolepsy victims, for now.