The Brain and Spine Institute is made up of experts in the field of neuroscience in order to bring patients the best healthcare in East Tennessee for a full range of neurological diseases and disorders.
myClipboard
myClipboard
Save news, events, articles and doctor's information to your personal clipboard for later reference.
Add items by clicking the 
button.
Create an account
Centers of Excellence
-
-
We provide a comprehensive continuum of cancer services, including prevention, outreach, diagnostic, treatment and support services delivered by our highly skilled staff with compassion and care.
-
The Center for Women & Children's Health is a hub for supporting women's and children's individual healthcare needs. The center provides support, research and unmatched patient-centered care.
-
Emergency and Trauma Services is the only Level I Trauma Center in the area and serves as the tertiary referral center for medical care in East Tennessee, serving Knox County and 21 surrounding counties.
-
The Heart Lung Vascular Institute brings together expertise in clinical care, teaching and research. Patients receive exceptional healthcare combined with patient-centered care.
Share
Print
Narcolepsy
|
|
Everyone has had the experience of falling asleep during the day at an inappropriate time—during a dull lecture, for example. Usually, these experiences are normal, caused by a lack of sleep. However, people who generally get enough rest but often fall asleep at inappropriate times may be suffering from narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally and is associated with uncontrollable sleepiness and frequent daytime sleeping. People with narcolepsy experience the irresistible need to sleep no matter how much sleep they get at night. They may fall asleep while working, talking or driving a car, with attacks lasting from 30 seconds to more than 30 minutes.
The cause of narcolepsy is unknown. However, it is likely that narcolepsy involves multiple factors interacting to cause neurological dysfunction and sleep disturbances. Because the disorder’s severity can vary, not everyone with narcolepsy will experience all symptoms. Narcolepsy affects both sexes equally and develops with age. Narcolepsy patients typically endure many years of daytime sleepiness before seeking treatment.
Common Narcolepsy SymptomsThe following are some of the symptoms of narcolepsy someone may experience.
- Abnormal tendency to sleep during the day
- Cataplexy, or momentary paralysis brought on by a sudden emotional reaction such as anger, fear or joy
- Sleep paralysis, or occasional attacks of momentary paralysis when the patient is going to sleep or has just woken up
- Memory loss
- Dream-like hallucinations
Narcolepsy is most commonly diagnosed using nocturnal polysomnography and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test.
Most Common Narcolepsy Treatment TechniquesThere is no cure for narcolepsy. Treatment focuses on alleviating the symptoms so that patients can live normal lives.
- Behavior modification, including planned daytime naps, an established routine sleep schedule, maintaining a regular exercise and eating schedule and avoid alcohol, nicotine and caffeine.
- Prescription stimulants
- Antidepressant medication to suppress cataplexy attacks
For more information, call the UT Sleep Disorders Center in Knoxville, TN, at 865.305.8761.
Online Tools: Make an Appointment Pay your Bill For appointments by phone, call 865.305.6970
