If you have narcolepsy, you'll usually fall asleep easily and enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep very quickly. You'll be asked to take several naps throughout the day, and a specialist will analyse how quickly and easily you fall asleep. You may have this test after polysomnography. Multiple sleep latency testĪ multiple sleep latency test measures how long it takes for you to fall asleep during the day. Sound recording and video equipment may also be used to record sound and images.Īfter you have slept, a specialist will analyse your test results to determine whether you have normal brain wave activity, breathing patterns, and muscle and eye movement. electrocardiography (ECG), which monitors your heart.pulse oximetry, which measures your heart rate and blood oxygen levels.recordings of airflow through your mouth and nose.recordings of movements in your chest and tummy (abdomen).electromyography (EMG), which monitors muscle tone.electrooculography, which monitors eye movements.electroencephalography (EEG), which monitors brain waves.Sensors will also be placed on your legs and an oxygen sensor will be attached to your finger.Ī number of different tests will be carried out during polysomnography, including: It usually involves staying overnight at the sleep centre so your sleeping patterns can be analysed.ĭuring the night, several different parts of your body will be monitored using electrodes and bands that are placed on your body while you sleep. Polysomnography is an investigation of your sleep carried out at a specialist sleep centre. If this is the case, your GP will probably refer you to a sleep specialist for further investigation. If you score 11 or above, you have an increased level of daytime sleepiness. When filling out the questionnaire, you'll be asked to rank the likelihood that you'll fall asleep in situations such as sitting and reading, watching television and travelling as a passenger in a car.Ī score of 10 or below means you have the same level of daytime sleepiness as the general population. Your GP will use the results to decide whether to refer you to a sleep specialist. The Epworth sleepiness scale (PDF, 64kb) is a questionnaire used to assess how likely it is you'll fall asleep while doing different activities. There are many different ways your sleep can be analysed. If your GP thinks you may have narcolepsy, they'll refer you to a specialist in sleep disorders, who will analyse your sleep patterns. Your GP may carry out several tests to help rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.įor example, you may have a physical examination, blood pressure tests and blood tests. an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)Įxcessive daytime sleepiness can also sometimes be caused by the side effects of certain medicines.Narcolepsy can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions, such as: They'll ask about your sleeping habits and any other symptoms you have. The GP will look closely at your medical and family history. Before your appointment, you may find it useful to record your symptoms in a diary or complete an Epworth sleepiness questionnaire. See a GP if you think you have narcolepsy. The cause of narcolepsy type 2 is not known.Narcolepsy can usually be diagnosed by observing how you sleep and ruling out other conditions. Researchers are exploring genetic factors, infection, trauma, and autoimmunity as possible underlying causes. Hypocretin, also known as orexin, is a naturally occurring brain chemical that’s important for wakefulness, REM sleep regulation, feeding, and other functions. Narcolepsy type 1 is thought to be triggered by a loss of hypocretin in the brain. Narcolepsy with cataplexy is called narcolepsy type 1, while narcolepsy without cataplexy is called narcolepsy type 2. sudden attacks of muscle weakness in the daytime (cataplexy)Ĭataplexy is the least common symptom of these, and many people with narcolepsy never experience it.feeling paralyzed momentarily in sleep (sleep paralysis).vivid dreams or hallucinations upon falling asleep (hypnogogic hallucinations).Sleepiness is often present during the day, but at times, the urgency to sleep is overwhelming (sleep attacks). Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by excessive sleepiness.
0 kommentar(er)
