Causes of Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the part of the brain that regulates when one is asleep and awake. Unfortunately, due their use for comic relief in common pop-culture, the seriousness of narcolepsy is commonly overlooked. Narcolepsy affects 1 in 2,000 Americans predominately between the ages of 10 to 25. Depending on the severity of the condition, Narcoleptics often have trouble with standard daily activities such as driving and working. A recent article by helpguide.org discusses narcolepsy in detail and specifically focuses on the causes of the condition.
Currently, the known causes of narcolepsy are not entirely known. There is a tremendous amount of research being done throughout the world in order to further develop an understanding of the causes of narcolepsy. The current consensus between doctors is that a certain genetic make up accompanied by an environmental trigger causes a chemical imbalance in the brain which results in narcolepsy. Specifically, the chemical imbalance involves a decrease in the chemical controlling sleep regulation, hypocretin. This lack of hypocretin inhibits the body’s ability to fully control alertness and sleep tendencies. When the levels of hypocretin have fully depleted, a patient is diagnosed with narcolepsy. It is undetermined how long it takes for levels of hypocretin to fully deplete, but this time frame is currently the focus of most narcoleptic studies being conducted.
Narcolepsy still remains very new to the world of research and more information regarding its causes, treatment and prevention continue to unfold. To stay up to date on the latest developments in narcoleptic research visit NorthShore University HealthSystems department on neurosciences.
Hello, I am 51 years old and the last four years I have been diagnoised with: COPD with emphysema, Sarcoidosis of the lung and skin with fibrosis of the heart and liver, Obstructive/Central sleep apnea and on bi-pap with oxygen, Narcolepsy and on largest dose of Provigal allowed, Hypothyroidism and have not got the level steady yet, Hypertension, Short term memory loss, degenerative disc disease with sciatica, Major depression disorder, cellulitus of the lower legs and underarms and have been hospitalized the last two times in 2008 for antibotics by IV and mouth, Sojeron Syndrome ( salive glands stop working) and all teeth decayed and broke off at gum except 3, had pulled and now with dentures, Carpal tunnel surgery on both wrist, congestive heart failure, and rheumatoid arthritis in both ankles and knees and wear special shoes to keep my balance because I can not move my toes. Between 1991-2004 which is right before all this happened I had 7 failed back surgeries and now have L3,L4 L5, S1 fused and a pain pump and nerve stimulator implanted. And the Veteran Affairs can not see to give me my disability. I did get Social Security Disability in 1993, but the VA says no. I was in the Peacetime Navy and a HT. I did plumbing, welding , brazing, cutting steel, carpentry, asbestos lagging, asbestos tiles removal, put terrazzo flooring in, went throught 3 firefighting schools, wore asbestos suits in training and fight one minor fire on destoyer, . So that says I was exposed to asbestos, mold, mildew, raw sewage, lead based paint fumes, sandblasting dust, welding smoke, braxing flux burning, and wet rotten wood and the VA still looks the other way.
Peacetime Veteran,
Sam Newman