Causes of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy Overview

Causes of Narcolepsy Disorder

The cause or causes of this disorder are unknown, but brain infection, head trauma, or brain tumors may be behind some cases. It is known that narcolepsy almost never the result of insomnia or sleep deprivation.

There is strong evidence that narcolepsy may run in families; 8-12% of people with narcolepsy have a close relative with the disorder.

• READ NEXT » Narcolepsy: Test & Diagnosis
  Your doctor may make a preliminary diagnosis of narcolepsy based on your experience of both excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). After an initial diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist for more evaluation. . .
  Read » Narcolepsy: Test & Diagnosis

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  « Narcolepsy & Symptoms
  Narcolepsy is a rare neurological sleep disorder…It is most characterized by Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). . .
  Read » Narcolepsy & Symptoms

• « Narcolepsy: Risk Factors
  Because the symptoms of narcolepsy vary from one individual to individual (it is estimated that only 20-25 percent of people with narcolepsy experience all four of the classic symptoms), this disorder is frequently misdiagnosed…
  Read » Narcolepsy: Risk Factors

• « Narcolepsy Sleep Attack
  In healthy individuals, sleep begins with the NREM phase. After 60 minutes or so of NREM sleep, REM sleep begins. A short time later, the entire cycle begins again. In a narcoleptic sleep attack, in contrast, researchers have found that REM sleep begins almost instantly, with no introductory NREM sleep…
  Read » Narcolepsy Sleep Attack

Source: Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; Prescription for Nutritional Healing, p. 590