Narcolepsyis aneurologicaldisorder that is marked by therecurrent, sudden, uncontrollable compulsion to sleep. Narcolepsy is often associated with cataplexy (a sudden loss ofmuscletone andparalysisofvoluntarymuscles associated with a strong emotion), sleep paralysis (immobility of the body that occursinthe transition fromsleepto wakefulness),hypnagogichallucinations (pre-sleepdreams), and automatic behaviors (such as doing something 'automatically' and not remembering afterward how one did it). The causes of narcolepsy are unknown. Narcolepsy is not a fatal disorder in itself, but it can lead to fatalities. For example, affected people may fall asleep while driving. Also known as excessive daytime sleepiness,hypnolepsy,sleeping disease,paroxysmal sleep, andGelineau syndrome.
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References
Jameson, J. Larry, et al.Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 20th Ed.New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.