Medical Minute: Narcolepsy
It isn’t often that a child falls asleep during important meetings, such as signing her first recording contract with Jay Z, or nodding off during a Senate hearing on human trafficking, like Willow Smith has done.
Narcolepsy means excessive sleepiness or falling asleep at the most inopportune times.
Children with narcolepsy often are not diagnosed with the sleep disorder until they are well into their teens or adulthood, when the disorder becomes a health issue or a distraction.
Parents assume that children with narcolepsy are simply tired from exerting too much energy during play. The parent doesn’t think much of it when the school calls to report the child is falling asleep during class, or sleeping while standing in line.
The disorder doesn’t become a problem until the teenage or adult narcoleptic accepts a job that requires mental alertness, such as driving a school bus full of children.
It is important to diagnose narcolepsy early in children in order to prevent problems later on, such as applying for vital jobs where mental alertness is key.
News anchors who experience slurred speech while on the air may be narcoleptics.
Signs and symptoms
Only about 20 to 25 percent of people with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, muscle weakness, sleep paralysis and hallucinations at the same time. A select few narcoleptics also experience heightened senses of taste and smell.
Many children or adults with narcolepsy also suffer from insomnia. Narcolepsy is often diagnosed when the symptoms become severe enough to cause serious problems in a person’s social, personal, and professional life.
When a normal person first falls asleep, the brain waves become slower and less regular, and the person slips into a dream state called REM or Rapid Eye Movement sleep. The REM (dream) stage normally occurs about an hour after falling asleep.
But individuals with Narcolepsy experience the REM stage upon falling asleep or 5 minutes after falling asleep.
A child should be evaluated for narcolepsy if he or she falls asleep multiple times a day, and he or she is able to recall vivid dreams after only being asleep for 5 or 10 minutes.
Cause of Narcolepsy
Scientists believe that narcolepsy is caused by the body’s auto-immune response to protein changes in the brain. The protein, called hypocretin or orexin, is responsible for controlling appetite and sleep patterns.
In 2004 researchers in Australia induced narcolepsy-like symptoms in mice by injecting them with antibodies from narcoleptic humans. Some scientists believe that the gene that makes individuals susceptible to narcolepsy might be inherited.
Diagnosis
Narcolepsy is mainly diagnosed during sleep tests performed by a sleep specialist. The sleep tests are conducted at Sleep Centers or in local hospitals. An overnight stay is usually required to perform the sleep tests.
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a brief questionnaire that is given to outpatient individuals to determine if they have sleep disorders.
Treatment
There is no known cure for narcolepsy. Narcoleptics will experience excessive sleepiness for the rest of their lives. The symptoms can be treated with medications such as stimulants to keep the brain alert. Medications include stimulants, non-stimulants and antidepressants.
In addition to drug therapy, schools can schedule 10 or 15 minute naps for children who are narcoleptics. Some employees are sympathetic to workers with sleep disorders, and will schedule naps two to three times a day for the worker.
This has been your Medical Minute.
More Info on the Web
Narcolepsy – PubMed Health
Narcolepsy – Web MD
Narcolepsy – Mayo Clinic
Narcolepsy – Wikipedia
DISCLAIMER
Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following advice found on this blog.
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105 Responses to “Medical Minute: Narcolepsy”
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Well I have a sleeping disorder as well. I was diagnosed with Hypersomnia back in 2009.
Good Morning Everyone!!
Good Morning Everyone!!
<–Can fall asleep anywhere
—————-
On Topic: People should get checked out because if your brain doesn't get the proper amount of oxygen during sleep–Well it ain't a good thing!
Welp….
I experience excessive daytime sleepiness every day that I step into my office…
[never mind....]
free says:
[never mind....]
boredom?
narcolepsy?
MERNIN ROSES!
Leave this child alone. I used to doze off every sunday at church & in class. when something is boring its boring! what 11 year old would be interested in that type of stuff anyways plus Will looks like he is trying to keep is blood shot eye open too
Morning EVERYBODY
My sis says she was diagnosed with it, when she fell asleep in a meeting at work one day.
My co-worker (who favors Peter off of Family Guy) went to get checked for it AFTER my supervisor caught her asleep at her desk.
So Willow is ON limits, but the Harris clan is OFF limits, right?
I have insomnia. But in Willow’s case this hearing was just probably boring to her. We all have done it at some time or another.
yallcray, FeFe, Prynn, Trend et al
daddy & daughter…cute
I still enjoy taking naps in the daytime, it’s refreshing…
And I yawn ALL the time, but I think I got that from my dad, he’s an excessive yawner…
Maybe I have narcolepsy…
I wonder if Tyra Banks would approve of her “neck” in the above pic? LOL
Hi NaijaGal
Well I’m sleepy now,and I’m ret to go to bed…..
lovezoe says:
So Willow is ON limits, but the Harris clan is OFF limits, right?
:award:
======================
Naija
@Yall
Jada & Willow were on GMA yesterday. Willow was distracted then, but awake.
I was feeling Willow this morning myself
Tired. com
The wikipedia description of this disorder is very sketchy….especially since it is not a sleep disorder, it is actually a neurological disorder
Well, we’ve got a Doctor in the building now
#ikidikid
or nodding off during a Senate hearing on human trafficking
—————–
pretty sure most kids would doze off during this
I’m gonna start sending Auntie pics of me so she can diagnose me. I’m tired of spending money on tests!!
#phuckyoobamacare
anyway i ain’t worried bout lil scoop ball head, where the party at?
I’m with whoever said Will looks like he’s barely holding on. I’m sure that was a boring meeting and most of what was said was over her head. Not a good look though. That’s why you have handlers to take her back to the room.
had a coworker with this. she has to take amphetamines the rest of her life
GM yall. granny clampit just made the biggest breakfast. eggs, biscuits, bacon, grits, hashbrowns, tomato gravy, regular gravy, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, melons. chile i ill SLEEPY nah!
before she was diagnosed she had a terrible car accident & almost died. she fell asleep driving
I fall asleep while I’m gettin my teeth cleaned, or on the traction table getting my Disc decompression therapy. Pretty much any laying down or reclining it’s ova wit.
IamK_Antoinette says:
————–
K, just chill! and make that bish your friend
I’d be right next to her in the morning peeking over her shoulder talmbout “whatchu cooking US this morning?”
i mean sometimes u sleepy and can’t help it. even presidents (clinton and bush come to mind) been caught sleeping. shooot i was sleep at this off site meeting and one of the upper mgmnt was talkin, they had to tell someone to tap me to wake me up
i mean the bytch was boring #aintmyfault 
IamK_Antoinette says:
so this is the second week in a row I come to work & this girl is cooking a FULL COURSE meal. Our kitchen is used for when we have clients and lunch hour. she is new but damn. make your breakfast at home, work starts at 9am. You don’t come to work at 9am then spend 20 min frying your egg whites and bacon WTF! Our boss doesn’t come into work until 11:30 maybe I’m over reacting because I wake up early so I can make & eat breakfast BEFORE I get to work. White people do ratchet things too I had to rant
~~~~~~~~
Wow, the man who pays my salary does not care for food smells, I’m scared to use the microwave.
Bella’s Master says:
I’m gonna start sending Auntie pics of me so she can diagnose me. I’m tired of spending money on tests!!
#phuckyoobamacare
==========
Or you can look for a job with a GOOD BENEFIT PACKAGE
Fayla aka IWhipIt..WhipItRealGood:) says:
had a coworker with this. she has to take amphetamines the rest of her life
GM yall. granny clampit just made the biggest breakfast. eggs, biscuits, bacon, grits, hashbrowns, tomato gravy, regular gravy, strawberries, kiwi, grapes, melons. chile i ill SLEEPY nah!
*busting corners*
See, that’s that the fukc I’m talmbout! Here I come 
@yall
Good Mornting
We off topic yet?
K, just chill! and make that bish your friend
You’ll have it made it the shade, with breakfast every morning.
I’d be right next to her in the morning peeking over her shoulder talmbout “whatchu cooking US this morning?”
I had the clap once. I can identify. I missed several appointments with the cable guy waiting on my clap to clear up.
————–
@yallcrazy K, just chill! and make that bish your friend You’ll have it made in the shade, with breakfast every morning.
I’d be right next to her in the morning peeking over her shoulder talmbout “whatchu cooking US this morning?”
—————
You know what, You’re right! I do like egg whites
“This bish is shaking the table”
I read thisin the last post>>>>>>>>>>>>>>………….
Min Min Sheen (The artist formally kwn as Dawn Sheen) says:
Trendsetter says:
The Dream engaged?????
———
Yes, I read this in the Toys R Us circular… Teddy Ruxpen is getting married to a Care bear… the wedding will air on the cartoon network.
_______________________________________________
“Dawn” why must she font
chile bye 
YALL
that heffa tryin not to get fired #jobsecurity
she just made her 6 month anniversary
IamK_Antoinette says:
————–
@yallcrazy K, just chill! and make that bish your friend You’ll have it made in the shade, with breakfast every morning.
I’d be right next to her in the morning peeking over her shoulder talmbout “whatchu cooking US this morning?”
—————
You know what, You’re right! I do like egg whites
===============
That’s the ticket!
==================
Who Phro?!?!
Phrozen- I was WEAK when she did that! Then my soror had to run to the bathroom. Hope she dont wear her letters on the show.
@yall
Nahhhh…. I stand by my initial assessment
Anna, my boss is very frugal (VERY)… He heats up whatever to eat
#microwavecouldwalkonitsown!
I’ll trade you!
<<< Insomniac
*Inherited from the non sleeping azz mofockas on DaddyDub side of the family. HIM, His Grandma, MY grandmother, 2 of my cousins (that I know of), 1 of his aunts, 2 of his brothers and MY brother. The ish is REAL. I done been to the Duke Insomnia and Sleep Research Program (DISRP) and everything…life is hard when you sleepy as fugg all the time.
yallcrazy says:
man fvck dook
now that we got that out the way
Bella’s Master says:
@yall
Nahhhh…. I stand by my initial assessment
, Please don’t tell me you’re part of the problem 
=================
Bella, my dear
*yells out PPO in this bish*
I barely make it past 10pm these days. #lovesleep
candibfly says:
man fvck dook
now that we got that out the way
==============
Just don’t paw nobody today
Sandra, what do you have against this little girl or the Smiths cause you is on their tails? Inquiring minds def. want to know.
Also, has anyone seen the Noami Campbell is going to have a show on Oxygen called “Face”. It’s going to be like Top Model maybe better but I know Tyra in the corner somewhere crying.
KDub says:
<<< Insomniac
*Inherited from the non sleeping azz mofockas on DaddyDub side of the family. HIM, His Grandma, MY grandmother, 2 of my cousins (that I know of), 1 of his aunts, 2 of his brothers and MY brother. The ish is REAL. I done been to the Duke Insomnia and Sleep Research Program (DISRP) and everything…life is hard when you sleepy as fugg all the time.
__________________________________________________________
changing your eating habits will help with this alot, it may sound crazy but it will.
Zoe, I wish for a day where I could be asleep by 9!
and sleep till 9…
#hoopdreams
@Yall I just wanted to say it
@Zoe They got her outta there cause she has more to lose I feel..trying to rebuild a rep that she aint crazy aint a good look when you wrecking in a bar… #OneTime for BADST tho!
Also losing weight is supposed to help with sleep apnea (which I think leades to narc). I said I THINK…
Phrozen
“This bish is shaking the table”
_____________
LOVE I BE SLEEP BEFORE 9PM MOST NIGHTS.. IM A HOMEBODY THO.. I LIKES MY CAT NAPS
changing your eating habits will help with this alot, it may sound crazy but it will.
—————————————————
You musta missed my post on my array of food allergies. So I can’t change MUCH or my azz will STAH-VE to DEF.
Fish
Nut allergy
Eggs
NOT supposed to eat dairy or red meat…
Chicken, fruits, rice and veggies is a SAD azz existence. Even for a chicken and watamelon loving nigra like myself
@yall
Tell me what the problem is and I will tell you if I’m apart of it
My problem is the $1000+ I shell out in taxes every month
In any case… It was just me making a joke like I try to do in many cases on here
Pretty grils wear 20 pearls *Stands under Umbrella*
@KWall I recently had to switch to a Gluten free diet myself and EVERYTHING taste like rubberbands to me #Dreadful
Yaaay! I usta tell women that I would fall asleep in that puzzi. Then when i get over to they place, get em named and the, just stick the head. I would fall asleep in that warm stone wettery, and they would get mad after they made the assumption that i would hit it so good id fall asleep during the act of a passionate session. Now i know that it is a medical condition, i can bring my doctors note and get off without any discord, or name slandering.
candibfly says:
man fvck dook
now that we got that out the way
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
@Iam
Lakes- Lucas goes to bed for the night about 10 and wakes up about 2.5 half times. I be dragging all day,.
I ain’t got time right now Bella, there is a BIG ****
up now….
and
…but LOVEZOE I think security escorted her to the restroom and made her stay there
Phro – sup
Iam- I wont shade you today and give you a Greek history lesson.
Chicken, fruits, rice and veggies is a SAD azz existence. Even for a chicken and watamelon loving nigra like myself
——–
This ish right here
Naja- It did look like that, but I thought as soon as she threw the napkin, she got up and walked towards the bathroom.
GM Sandra! ( I emailed you an article about Michael Clarke Duncan’s g/f Amorosa, saving him from having a heart attack. Did you get it?)
GM SR family!
Jenn
Phro
Creamy
LoveZ
FayFay
KDub
Laker
FeFe
Prynn
Buh buh boogie
anybody I missed [insert your name here]
___________________________________________________
IamK_Antoinette says:
so this is the second week in a row I come to work & this girl is cooking a FULL COURSE meal. Our kitchen is used for when we have clients and lunch hour. she is new but damn. make your breakfast at home, work starts at 9am. You don’t come to work at 9am then spend 20 min frying your egg whites and bacon WTF! Our boss doesn’t come into work until 11:30 maybe I’m over reacting because I wake up early so I can make & eat breakfast BEFORE I get to work. White people do ratchet things too I had to rant
____________________________________
Chileeee…I’ll take that anyday over this Nigerian dude here…bassid warms up funky fish in the SMALL breakroom that we have. Everybody comes in droppin hints…holding noses..making faces. That rusty foot bassid pays em no mind..sits there smackin like he’s in front of his hut.
#cantstandhisass
@Love
We are all one big family in the end. But every family has those Outstanding members
@Naija @MzW
I take alot of naps if I CAN…but I cant sleep longer than 30-45 minutes. And I go to bed early but its continuous sleep that alludes me. I wake up every hour dayum near at night and then have trouble falling BACK asleep. I dont remember the last time I had a good 8-10 hour sleep without being medicated.
@Iam- This is true.
@Zoe No they ushered outta there QUICK
the trini girl has nothing to lose and alot to gain..K.Michelle don’t need that publicity as a come back artist.
@MZ
Clearly I need to stop complaining. Smelly fish EVERYDAY
Greek Unity !!!!…. until one of you “others” gets out of pocket
Her butt didn’t look lopsided to me though
Bella, I’m back
What I was doing was offering up the alternative to Obamacare (that you were complaining about)
#tisall
When u post these ridiculous stories are u looking for a reaction, Or is it just a slow news day?
@ greykidd: what’s ridiculous about this Medical Minute? Narcolepsy is very real, and can potentially cause a public hazard if not diagnosed.
Phrozen1der says:
K.Michelle don’t need that publicity as a come back artist.
__________________
K michelle came back? When was she ever here?
@ KDub: the naps are interrupting your normal sleep pattern at night. Stop napping during the day. Don’t eat or drink anything for 5 hours before you go to bed (so the digestive process doesn’t keep you awake). Take Melatonin supplements to help you reestablish a normal sleep pattern. And count backwards from 100 every night when u go to bed. You will be sleeping like a baby in no time.
@ mzwhang90210: yes, I got the email. Thank you.
LMAO!!!!! Bless Willow’s Heart
My goodness, could it just be the child is tired? Or bored? Does every move or thing someone does have to have a medical reason? sigh……