Narcolepsy

Overview

Patients treated at Mayo Clinic for narcolepsy benefit from the experience and expertise of physicians who treat nearly 200 narcolepsy patients each year. The Mayo Clinic Narcolepsy Research Center is active in many areas of cutting-edge research and patients may be eligible to participate in clinical trials for new treatments as they become available.

Diagnosis

Understanding a patient's symptoms and excluding other causes are critical for optimal treatment. This typically involves tracking a patient's sleep-wake patterns at home and conducting an overnight study at the sleep center followed by more testing the next day. Mayo Clinic operates state-of-the-art sleep centers at all three sites, fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine; in fact, Mayo Clinic in Rochester has one of the largest sleep diagnostic facilities in the United States. Read more about narcolepsy diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Treatment plans for narcolepsy usually combine lifestyle modifications and medication. Plans need to be highly individualized and may need adjustment over time. Read more about narcolepsy treatment options.

About Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and the abrupt onset of sleep.

Patients with narcolepsy fall asleep suddenly, are very tired during the day, have difficulties concentrating, may have mood swings or behavioral issues, and may also have cataplexy. Narcolepsy may be frequently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, potentially adding personal or professional stress to the symptoms caused by the disorder. Narcolepsy often begins in childhood and can be devastating if left untreated.

Although there is no cure yet for narcolepsy, lifestyle modifications and medications can help patients manage symptoms and improve daily function. Researchers are also gaining a better understanding of how narcolepsy works and how it might be corrected in the future.

Read more at
www.MayoClinic.com
A service of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research