Narcolepsy - the myth of sleeping addiction

Addicted to sleep – is that possible? Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that leads to extreme daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, or involuntary muscle relaxation. Learn here what exactly is behind this "sleeping sickness" and how it can cause us to 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'd like. However, people who suffer from narcolepsy are not just tired sometimes, but practically 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. It's often forgotten that sleeping sickness not only makes everyday life difficult and significantly impairs quality of life, but can also lead to dangerous accidents. 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 disrupts our sleep-wake cycle and manifests itself, among other things, through extreme sleepiness or uncontrollable daytime sleep attacks, causing sufferers to suddenly become tired and fall asleep, even in unusual situations. These daytime naps usually last only about 5 to 30 minutes, but can also cause brief muscle failure, sleep paralysis, and disturbed night sleep are among the classic symptoms of narcolepsy.

While "sleep addiction" is not life-threatening, it severely impacts the daily life and quality of life of sufferers and, according to current scientific knowledge, is incurable. The symptoms can appear as early as childhood and change over the years. While most of us suffer from sleep deprivation, people with narcolepsy must struggle daily 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 feeling 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 fatigue, those affected can no longer resist the pressure to sleep and fall asleep repeatedly or even suddenly. These sleep attacks occur particularly in rather monotonous situations such as reading, watching television, or as a passenger in a car, but can also occur during otherwise active, more complex activities such as eating, writing, or speaking. This poses a high risk of accidents and poses a danger to those affected or, for example, other road users.Anyone suffering from sleeping sickness must therefore expect restrictions even in seemingly harmless, everyday activities and must prevent dangers in everyday life.

Cataplectic attacks/Sudden muscle relaxation

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

Disturbed night sleep

The disruption of sleep-wake regulation in the brain also affects sleep at night, leading to generally lighter sleep and frequent awakenings. People with narcolepsy often fall asleep quickly, but are more sensitive to awakenings and have difficulty sleep through the nightThis means that nighttime sleep becomes less restful and the already intense 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 identify a cause for the mysterious sleeping sickness. As a neurological dysfunction, its origin lies fundamentally in an organic, rather than psychological, impairment of brain function. The hypothalamus is an important control center in the brain and 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, precisely those cells that produce hypocretin are impaired or destroyed. Without the hormone, no regular coordination of our sleep and wake states can take place, and the Sleep-wake rhythm The regulation of sleep phases and REM or non-REM sleep is disrupted. The fact that hypocretin also influences reward, emotional, and feeding behavior could be one of the reasons for emotion-driven cataplexy.

4. What those affected can do

Narcolepsy is fundamentally incurable, but it is also not life-threatening. While medication is available, those affected must ultimately learn to live with daily fatigue and sleep attacks. Stress, emotionally charged moments, and an irregular daily routine should be avoided. Following a few rules of conduct in everyday life has proven effective, particularly in preventing muscle relaxation and sudden sleep attacks. These include a regular daily routine with regular rest and sleep breaks during the day, or avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine, both to prevent falling asleep quickly and to promote sleep itself. Despite many short sleep breaks during the day, it is essential for people with narcolepsy to get enough long and restful sleep to remain 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 fatigue.While sleep disorders, lack of sleep and exercise, or poor diet are relatively harmless, the "sleeping sickness" narcolepsy is a serious condition and highlights the importance of the quality of our sleep for our health, our daily routine, and our lives as a whole. Because sometimes less is more, and sometimes less, but good sleep is usually more restorative than we assume.

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, uncontrollable muscle relaxation (cataplexy), and sleep disturbances.

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

Best wishes and see you soon!