The list of medical symptoms mentioned in various sources for Narcolepsy may include:
List of 31 Narcolepsy Symptoms
Note that Narcolepsy symptoms usually refers to various medical symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Narcolepsy signs may often refer to those signs that are only noticable by a doctor.
Affected individuals are extremely drowsy during the daytime and may fall into a deep sleep at any time. After a short nap, the patient may feel refreshed, but it is only a short period of time before drowsiness returns.
The second major symptom of narcolepsy is called cataplexy. Cataplexy refers to a sudden weakness of the muscles that leads to collapse. This is often triggered by an emotional response such as laughter, surprise, or anger. (Source: Genes and Disease by the National Center for Biotechnology)
The four classic symptoms of the disorder are excessive daytime sleepiness; cataplexy (sudden, brief episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis brought on by strong emotions such as laughter, anger, surprise or anticipation); sleep paralysis (paralysis upon falling asleep or waking up); and hypnagogic hallucinations (vivid dream-like images that occur at sleep onset). Disturbed nighttime sleep, including tossing and turning in bed, leg jerks, nightmares, and frequent awakenings, may also occur. The development, number and severity of symptoms vary widely among individuals with the disorder. It is probable that there is an important genetic component to the disorder as well. Unrelenting excessive sleepiness is usually the first and most prominent symptom of narcolepsy. Patients with the disorder experience irresistible sleep attacks, throughout the day, which can last for 30 seconds to more than 30 minutes, regardless of the amount or quality of prior nighttime sleep. These attacks result in episodes of sleep at work and social events, while eating, talking and driving, and in other similarly inappropriate occasions. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Narcolepsy Information Page: NINDS)
The main characteristic of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, even after adequate nighttime sleep. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or to fall asleep, often at inappropriate times and places. Daytime sleep attacks may occur with or without warning and may be irresistible. These attacks can occur repeatedly in a single day. Drowsiness may persist for prolonged periods of time. In addition, nighttime sleep may be fragmented with frequent wakenings. (Source: excerpt from Narcolepsy: NWHIC)
In addition to overwhelming irresistible sleepiness, there are three other classic symptoms of narcolepsy, which may not occur in all patients:
Cataplexy: sudden episodes of loss of muscle function, ranging from slight weakness (such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles, or inability to speak clearly) to complete body collapse.
Sleep paralysis: temporary inability to talk or move when falling asleep or waking up. It may last a few seconds to minutes.
Hypnagogic hallucinations: vivid, often frightening, dream-like experiences that occur while dozing or falling asleep.
Only about 20 to 25 percent of people with narcolepsy experience all symptoms. The symptoms of narcolepsy, especially the excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, often become severe enough to cause serious disruptions in a person's social, personal, and professional life and can severely limit activities.
In most cases, the first symptom of narcolepsy to appear is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness. The other symptoms may begin alone or in combination months or years after the onset of the daytime sleep attacks. (Source: excerpt from Narcolepsy: NWHIC)
You should be checked for narcolepsy if:
you often feel excessively and overwhelmingly sleepy during the day, even after having had a full night's sleep;
you fall asleep when you do not intend to, such as while having dinner, talking, driving, or working;
you collapse suddenly or your neck muscles feel too weak to hold up your head when you laugh or become angry, surprised, or shocked; or
you find yourself briefly unable to talk or move while falling asleep or waking up.
More detailed symptom information may be found on the symptoms of Narcolepsy article. In addition to the above medical information, to get a full picture of the possible signs or symptoms of this condition and also possibly the signs and symptoms of its related medical conditions, it may be necessary to examine symptoms that may be caused by:
These general reference articles may be related to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
The phrase "signs of Narcolepsy" should, strictly speaking, refer only to those signs and symptoms of Narcolepsy that are not readily apparent to the patient. The word "symptoms of Narcolepsy" is the more general meaning; see symptoms of Narcolepsy.
The signs and symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Narcolepsy. This medical information about signs and symptoms for Narcolepsy has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Narcolepsy signs or Narcolepsy symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Narcolepsy may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Narcolepsy symptoms.
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