Narcolepsy - the myth of sleeping addiction

Addicted to sleep - is that possible? Narcolepsy is a neurological dysfunction and leads to extreme daytime tiredness, sudden bouts of sleep or unwanted muscle relaxation. Find out here what exactly is behind the "sleeping sickness" and how it can happen that we suddenly become tired and fall asleep uncontrollably.

Table of contents

1. What is narcolepsy?
2. Typical symptoms of narcolepsy
   1. Severe daytime fatigue
   2. Sudden falling asleep / sleep attacks
   3. Cataplectic attacks / Uncontrollable muscle relaxation
   4. Disturbed night sleep
   5. Other symptoms
3. Causes and Triggers of Sleeping Sickness
4. What those affected can do
5. Addicted to sleep?
6. Conclusion

We all know the feeling when tiredness overcomes us and we fall asleep faster than we would like. However, people who suffer from narcolepsy are not just tired sometimes, but actually always. Around 40,000 people in Germany suffer from narcolepsy, also known as "sleeping sickness" or "sleep addiction", and have to live with severe tiredness, sleep attacks and muscle reflexes every day. The fact that sleeping sickness not only makes everyday life more difficult and significantly impairs the quality of life, but can also lead to dangerous accidents, is often forgotten. But what exactly is behind the myth of narcolepsy and how does this unusual addiction to sleep arise?

1. What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a neurological dysfunction of the brain areas that control our sleep and wakefulness. It throws our sleep-wake behavior off track and manifests itself, among other things, in extreme sleepiness or uncontrollable bouts of sleep during the day, so that those affected suddenly tire and fall asleep even in unusual situations. These daytime naps usually only last about 5 to 30 minutes, but can also cause short-term muscle failure, sleep paralysis and a disturbed night sleep are among the classic symptoms of narcolepsy.

Although "sleep addiction" is not life-threatening, it severely affects the daily life and quality of life of sufferers and, according to current scientific knowledge, is not curable. The symptoms can appear as early as childhood and change over the years. While most of us suffer from a lack of sleep, people suffering from narcolepsy have to fight every day to resist the urge to sleep.

2. Typical symptoms of narcolepsy

Severe daytime fatigue

The most common symptom of sleeping sickness is excessive and difficult to control daytime sleepiness, which, however, is not due to lack of sleep or poor nighttime sleep. Although people with narcolepsy wake up rested in the morning, they usually become tired again after just a few hours and can fall asleep again shortly after waking up.

Sudden falling asleep / sleep attacks

Due to the extreme tiredness phases, those affected can no longer resist the pressure to sleep and fall asleep repeatedly or even suddenly. These bouts of sleep occur particularly in rather monotonous situations such as reading, watching TV or as a passenger in a car, but can also occur during active, more complex activities such as eating, writing or speaking. This carries a high risk of accidents and poses a danger to those affected or, for example, other road users.Anyone who suffers from sleeping sickness must therefore expect limitations even in seemingly harmless, everyday activities and must prevent dangers in everyday life.

Cataplectic attacks / Sudden muscle relaxation

Cataplexy is the uncontrolled relaxation of the body's muscles, which is triggered by the feeling of strong emotions such as anger, fear, joy or laughter. Depending on the intensity, those affected lose control of one or more muscles in a part of the body, such as the facial or leg muscles. This sudden muscle failure usually only lasts a few seconds and is not dangerous in itself, but can sometimes lead to falls or minor accidents.

Disturbed night sleep

The disruption of sleep-wake regulation in the brain also affects sleep at night and leads to generally lighter sleep and frequent awakening. People with narcolepsy often fall asleep quickly, but are more sensitive to awakening stimuli and have difficulty sleep through the nightThis means that nighttime sleep becomes less restful and the already strong tiredness during the day increases.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms of narcolepsy include sleep paralysis, sleep-related hallucinations and automated behaviors.

3. Causes and triggers of narcolepsy

Only a few years ago, researchers were able to find a cause for the development of the mysterious sleeping sickness. As a neurological dysfunction, the origin is basically an organic, not psychological, impairment of brain function. The hypothalamus is an important control center in the brain and is particularly relevant for the coordination and control of our nervous system. Among other things, the neurotransmitter hypocretin (also called "orexin") is produced here, which, together with other known hormones, for example melatonin, plays an important role in maintaining and regulating our sleep-wake behavior.

According to current findings, in narcolepsy patients, it is precisely those cells that produce hypocretin that are impaired or destroyed. Without the hormone, there can be no regular coordination of our sleep and wake states and the sleep-wake rhythm and the control of sleep phases and REM or non-REM sleep become disrupted. The fact that hypocretin also influences reward, emotion and nutritional behavior could be one of the reasons for emotion-driven cataplexy.

4. What those affected can do

Narcolepsy is essentially incurable, but it is also not life-threatening. Drug therapy is possible, but ultimately those affected must learn to live with daily tiredness and sleep attacks. Stress, emotionally moving moments and an irregular daily routine should be avoided. Observing a few rules of conduct in everyday life has proven to be useful in preventing muscle relaxation and sudden sleep attacks. These include a regular daily routine with regular rest or sleep breaks during the day or avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol or nicotine, on the one hand to prevent falling asleep quickly, but on the other hand to promote sleep itself. Despite many short sleep breaks during the day, it is essential for people with narcolepsy to sleep long enough and restfully in order to be healthy and productive in the long term.

5. Addicted to sleep?

There can be a variety of reasons behind an increased need for sleep or persistent daytime tiredness.While sleep disorders, lack of sleep and exercise or poor diet are relatively harmless, the "sleeping sickness" narcolepsy is a serious illness and shows how important the quality of our sleep really is for our health, our everyday life and our life as a whole. Because sometimes less is more and less, but good sleep is usually more restful than we think.

6. Conclusion

• Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder caused by a dysfunction in the brain that reduces the production of the hormone hypocretin.

• Common symptoms of narcolepsy include extreme daytime sleepiness, sudden falling asleep and uncontrollable muscle relaxation (cataplexy) as well as sleep disorders.

• The “sleeping sickness” cannot be cured, but it can be treated with medication and behavioral adjustments in everyday life.

Best regards and see you soon!