Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder. People who have it may fall asleep at any point during the day. This happens quickly and without control. Sleep attacks last 3 to 30 minutes long. They also carry a risk of danger. They can happen at any time such as while driving or standing on a ladder. Narcolepsy is hard on work and social life.
The exact cause is unknown. There may be a combination of problems with:
- Certain genes in the brain
- The immune system—it attacks healthy cells
- The environment
References
Narcolepsy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/narcolepsy. Accessed April 14, 2022.
Narcolepsy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/narcolepsy. Accessed April 14, 2022.
Narcolepsy fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Narcolepsy-Fact-Sheet. Accessed April 14, 2022.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcin Chwistek, MD
- Update Date: 04/14/2022