Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes severe daytime sleepiness.

Patients with narcolepsy may experience frequent daytime dreams, sleep paralysis , or cataplexy.

Sleep paralysis is the feeling of being paralyzed upon awakening. You know you are awake but you cannot move your body. This can occasionally occur in someone without a sleep disorder but may frequently occur in a patient with narcolepsy.

Cataplexy is the loss of muscular control that may occur with strong emotions, such as laughter, crying, or anger. This may result in the knees buckling, an arm going weak, or even weakness of the face. The weakness usually lasts for several minutes.

Narcolepsy is usually treated with medications that allow the patient to stay awake throughout the day.