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Narcolepsy

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of narcolepsy.


Highlights

Is Narcolepsy Hereditary?

People whose close relatives have narcolepsy are more likely to have the sleep disorder themselves. The risk is highest for first-degree relatives (parents or siblings). According to a 2005 study in the Journal of Sleep Research , narcolepsy is 105 times higher among male first-degree relatives, and 54 times higher among female first-degree relatives, than the general population.

Narcolepsy in Children

Although narcolepsy typically begins in adolescence or young adulthood, it can occur at any age. Even young children can have narcolepsy. According to a small study in Pediatric Neurology , children who have headaches are more likely to have narcolepsy than their healthy peers. The researchers recommended that pediatricians ask patients with headaches whether they have experienced daytime sleepiness, narcolepsy, or insomnia.

Drug Treatments for Daytime Sleepiness

Drug Treatments for Cataplexy


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