Learn more about the warning signs of narcolepsy.

Our brains are incredibly intricate and complex, and they are able to switch between cycles of sleep and awake. While this is fairly stable for most people, people with narcolepsy have cells within the brain that don’t work properly, which causes the sleep-wake cycles to become unstable. Wondering if you or your child could benefit from visiting our Columbia, SC, sleep physician Dr. Richard Bogan? You may, if you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms,

Extreme daytime fatigue: Do you find it difficult to get through the day because you’re just so tired all the time? Do you find it challenging to get through your daily routine because of extreme drowsiness and fatigue? While this is a sign of narcolepsy, this can also be a symptom of other sleep disorders so it’s important to see a sleep doctor who can determine what’s causing your symptoms.

Restless sleep: it’s not uncommon for those with narcolepsy to have trouble staying asleep throughout the night. If you find yourself persistently waking up in the middle of the night and unable to fall back to sleep this could be a sign of narcolepsy.

Sleep paralysis: This is a rather scary symptom of narcolepsy and just like the name suggests, sleep paralysis causes the person to feel paralyzed. This only lasts a few seconds or minutes and typically occurs right before falling asleep or when waking up. Sometimes sleep paralysis is accompanied by vivid hallucinations (typically when someone is falling asleep).

What causes narcolepsy?

There are possibly a few things that can be to blame for narcolepsy. While the causes of narcolepsy are still under investigation there are a few factors that could increase your risk for narcolepsy including,

  • An autoimmune disorder
  • Genetics/family history of narcolepsy
  • Previous brain injuries

Here in Columbia, SC, our sleep doctor Dr. Richard Bogan addresses a wide range of sleep problems, from insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea to night terrors in children and narcolepsy. If you are experiencing issues with sleep call Bogan Sleep Consultants today at (803) 251-3093 to schedule a consultation.