Narcolepsy

This disorder, often arising in adolescence, is characterized by excessive sleepiness, sleep attacks, and sudden episodes of muscular weakness (cataplexy). Muscular weakness, or paralysis, while falling asleep, or waking up, and vivid visual or auditory experiences while falling asleep (hypnagogic hallucinations), or awakening (hypnapompic hallucinations) are also features of the disorder. Sleepiness is often improved for 2-3 hours at a time by short naps, and nighttime sleep is often interrupted by 1-2 hour awakenings.

This disorder is often unrecognized, or misdiagnosed, resulting in delay of diagnosis. Recent research has identified the cause in classic forms of narcolepsy as being due to destruction of a group of cells within the brain that produce a neurotransmitter (hypocretin/orexin) that regulates wakefulness and sleep. Viral, and autoimmune mechanisms for cell damage have been postulated. Sleep testing is generally needed for diagnosis.

Treatment includes proper sleep habits, strategically timed naps, and medications. The latter includes medications that can reduce the tendency for cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations, as well as medications used to improve wakefulness. Xyrem is an effective agent for reducing cataplexy and helps to consolidate sleep at night. The medication can improve daytime wakefulness, though the mechanism of action has not been definitively determined. A combination of REM-suppressing medications (ie. protriptyline, Effexor, Prozac) and stimulants (Provigil, methylphenidate, methamphetamine) has also been used to improve symptoms.

From: http://www.sleepneverfeltsogood.com/...disorders.html