Disease or Syndrome
narcolepsy
nar·co·lep·sy [ nahr-kuh-lep-see ]
Subclass of:
Disorders of Excessive Somnolence
Etymology:
Greek narke = deadness or numbness + lepsis = a seizure
Definitions related to narcolepsy:
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A condition characterized by recurrent episodes of daytime somnolence and lapses in consciousness (microsomnias) that may be associated with automatic behaviors and AMNESIA. CATAPLEXY; SLEEP PARALYSIS, and hypnagogic HALLUCINATIONS frequently accompany narcolepsy. The pathophysiology of this disorder includes sleep-onset rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which normally follows stage III or IV sleep. (From Neurology 1998 Feb;50(2 Suppl 1):S2-S7)NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A sleep disorder characterized by a tendency for excessive sleepiness during the day which occurs even after adequate sleep in the nighttime. The persons who suffer from this condition experience fatigue and may fall asleep at inappropriate times during the day.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A sleep disorder that causes extreme sleepiness and uncontrollable sleep attacks, making a person fall asleep at inappropriate times during the day.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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An abnormal phenomenon characterized by a classic tetrad of excessive daytime sleepiness with irresistible sleep attacks, cataplexy (sudden bilateral loss of muscle tone), hypnagogic hallucination, and sleep paralysis.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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Recurrent, uncontrollable brief episodes of sleep and lapses in consciousness, often associated with hypnagogic hallucinations, cataplexy, automatic behaviors and sleep paralysis.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Narcolepsy is characterized by chronic excessive daytime sleepiness, often with sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). Other symptoms include sleep paralysis and hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations. Diagnosis is by polysomnography and multiple sleep latency testing. Treatment is with modafinil, armodafinil, solriamfetol,...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Narcolepsy is characterized by the classic tetrad of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Narcolepsy is thought to result from genetic predisposition, abnormal neurotransmitter functioning and sensitivity, and abnormal immune modulation.WebMD, 2019
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Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine.Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Narcolepsy is a chronic brain disorder that involves poor control of sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy have episodes of extreme daytime sleepiness and sudden, irresistible bouts of sleep (called "sleep attacks") that can occur at any time, and may last from seconds or minutes. Other signs and symptoms may include cataplexy (a...National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
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Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep boundary disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness with rapid eye movement sleep intrusion into the wake state. In its classic form, seen in only 10% to 15% of cases, it is characterized by a tetrad of excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (generalized muscle weakness leading to partial or...Athenahealth, Inc., 2019
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Narcolepsy, a sleep disturbance that is characterized by sudden, uncontrollable spells of sleep during the day, with disturbances of sleep at night. The syndrome usually occurs in youth or early adult life. The narcoleptic can fall asleep anywhere, anytime--while in conversation, at work, while...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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