Neurologist Since narcolepsy is a neurological condition, a neurologist — a doctor trained in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain and the nervous system — may be part of your healthcare team.

Is cataplexy neurological?

Cataplexy is a brain disorder that causes a sudden and temporary loss of muscle tone and control, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

What medication treats cataplexy?

These older antidepressants, such as protriptyline (Vivactil), imipramine (Tofranil) and clomipramine (Anafranil), are effective for cataplexy, but many people complain of side effects, such as dry mouth and lightheadedness. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem). This medication is highly effective for cataplexy.

Can psychiatrists treat narcolepsy?

Because of the functional impairments characteristic of narcolepsy, including problems at work, at school, and in relationships, and reduced QOL, patients with narcolepsy without comorbid psychiatric disease may be nonetheless referred to a psychiatrist for evaluation.

Which doctors treat narcolepsy?

Clinical care by a sleep specialist is generally recommended for diagnosing and treating narcolepsy. The general public and most doctors have a limited understanding of narcolepsy, so it can be difficult to get a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Narcolepsy - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

What is cataplexy a symptom of?

Cataplexy is a sudden, brief loss of voluntary muscle tone triggered by strong emotions such as laughter. The condition is most commonly associated with narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that is thought to affect between 135,000 and 200,000 people in the United States. Cataplexy occurs during waking hours.

What kind of doctor specializes in sleep disorders?

A sleep specialist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats sleep disorders. Most sleep specialists train in internal medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, or neurology during residency. After completing residency, they complete a fellowship program in sleep medicine.

Is cataplexy a symptom of narcolepsy?

Sometimes, narcolepsy can be accompanied by a sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), which can be triggered by strong emotion. Narcolepsy that occurs with cataplexy is called type 1 narcolepsy.

What can mimic narcolepsy?

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Other psychologic/psychiatric disorders.
• Insomnia.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.

Is narcolepsy a neurological condition?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to control sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day.

Does modafinil treat cataplexy?

Narcolepsy with cataplexy is generally treated with drugs that produce an increase in awareness and with antidepressants that control cataplexy [1]. Modafinil has been the drug of first choice in narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia [4].

How is cataplexy diagnosed?

Cataplexy is usually diagnosed based on an interview with patients and their families¹⁰. In an interview, doctors are looking for the classic signs of cataplexy. A doctor may ask about how often a person experiences episodes and how long they last, triggering events, and which muscles are affected.

What is the difference between Nuvigil and Provigil?

Nuvigil (Armodafinil) is safe and effective for treatment of sleepiness due to narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift work. However, if used outside of these conditions, it can be habit forming and cause unwanted side-effects to the nervous system. Provigil (modafinil) is a nonstimulant medication that improves alertness.

How do you treat cataplexy?

1. tricyclic antidepressants, such as clomipramine (Anafranil)
2. selective serotonin uptake reinhibitors (SSRIs), another type of antidepressant, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
3. sodium oxybate (Xyrem), which can help with both cataplexy and sleepiness during the day.

Is cataplexy a disability?

This disorder is extremely unpredictable and can be dangerous. There is no cure, but treatments such as medication and scheduled naps can reduce some of its effects. The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not recognize narcolepsy as a medical condition that automatically qualifies you for disability benefits.

Is cataplexy hereditary?

First-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) of people with narcolepsy with cataplexy have a 40 times greater risk of developing the condition compared with people in the general population.

Can a blood test detect narcolepsy?

You may also have a blood test to find out whether you have a genetic marker known as HLA DQB * 0602, which is associated with narcolepsy. A positive result supports a diagnosis, but does not make it 100% certain – 30% of people without narcolepsy also have the genetic marker.

Can you have cataplexy but not narcolepsy?

In addition, cataplexy can be a side effect of several drugs (eg, lamotrigine, clozapine, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate). Yet, the most prevalent causes of cataplexy without narcolepsy are rare genetic diseases; which explains why cataplexy is classically linked to narcolepsy.

What is pseudo cataplexy?

Pseudo-cataplexy events are characterized by negative emotional triggers such as crying, generalized weakness, abrupt onset, preserved ability to communicate, and preserved deep tendon reflexes. Pseudo-cataplexy has been associated with mood disorders.

Can cataplexy develop later?

Some people with narcolepsy do not develop cataplexy until years, or even decades, after the onset of other telltale symptoms (or they never develop the muscle weakness at all). When physicians ask the right questions about the disorder's other symptoms, narcolepsy can be diagnosed more quickly.

How do you wake up a narcoleptic?

1. Relax before turning in. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
2. Try to go to bed at the same time each night.
3. If you wake up during the night, avoid reaching for your phone or other electronics. Screens stimulate, not relax, you.

Can cataplexy affect breathing?

These results provide evidence consistent with impaired control of breathing during sleep and of oxygen saturation in patients with narcolepsy–cataplexy.

Does neurologist treat insomnia?

Neurologists tend to provide treatment for sleeping disorders when the cause is thought to be neurological. Central sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome can all be related to neurological issues and are best treated by a neurologist.

Is insomnia neurological or psychiatric?

Patients with neurologic disorders commonly experience sleep dysfunction and psychiatric disorders. The most common sleep dysfunction is insomnia, which is a primary symptom in 30% to 90% of psychiatric disorders.

What are the 5 types of sleep disorders?

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) RLS is a condition that causes your legs to move or shake because of an unpleasant sensation. ...
• Insomnia. ...
• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) ...
• Sleep Apnea. ...
• Narcolepsy.