A chronic neurological disorder affecting the brain's control of sleep-wake cycles, causing overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden sleep attacks. Type 1 includes cataplexy; Type 2 does not. There is no cure, but with accurate diagnosis and the right plan, narcolepsy can be effectively managed.
Narcolepsy disrupts the brain's ability to regulate the boundary between wakefulness and sleep. People with the condition may feel an irresistible urge to sleep at any time of day — at work, mid-conversation, or even while eating — and these sudden sleep attacks can occur without warning. Many also experience vivid dream-like states, sleep paralysis, and surprisingly fragmented sleep at night.
Narcolepsy comes in two forms. Type 1 involves cataplexy — a sudden, brief loss of muscle control often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or surprise. Type 2 features the same overwhelming sleepiness but without cataplexy. While there is no cure, accurate diagnosis is the key to effective, lasting management, and our specialists use comprehensive sleep testing to confirm the diagnosis and craft a treatment plan that helps you stay alert and in control.
Characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness along with cataplexy — sudden, brief episodes of muscle weakness or loss of muscle control, often triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, surprise, or anger. Type 1 is associated with low levels of the brain chemical hypocretin.
Involves the same persistent, overwhelming daytime sleepiness but without episodes of cataplexy. Symptoms are typically less severe, yet the condition still requires accurate diagnosis and ongoing management to keep you alert and safe.
An overnight sleep study in our accredited lab records your brain activity, breathing, and movement to evaluate your sleep architecture and rule out other disorders that can mimic narcolepsy.
The MSLT is a daytime nap study performed the day after polysomnography. It objectively measures how quickly you fall asleep and how rapidly you enter REM sleep — key markers used to confirm a narcolepsy diagnosis.
Treatment may include stimulants and wake-promoting agents for daytime alertness, sodium oxybate for cataplexy and nighttime sleep, and certain antidepressants to help control cataplexy and related symptoms.
Scheduled short naps, consistent sleep-wake times, and strong sleep hygiene work hand in hand with medication to reduce sleepiness and help you manage daily life with greater confidence.
Narcolepsy is manageable with the right diagnosis and care. Our specialists will confirm what's behind your symptoms and build a plan to help you stay alert, safe, and in control of your day.