Narcolepsy

Definition

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, often with episodes of falling asleep suddenly during the day.

Analogy

Think of narcolepsy like your phone's battery draining too quickly and needing to recharge at random times throughout the day. Just as you can't control when your phone needs to be recharged, people with narcolepsy can't control when they fall asleep.

Related terms

Hypersomnia: This is a condition where a person experiences excessive sleepiness during the day or spends an unusually long time sleeping.

Sleep Apnea: This is another sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, leading to poor quality of sleep and fatigue during the day.

Cataplexy: A sudden loss of muscle tone while awake that leads to feelings of weakness and a loss of voluntary muscle control. It's often associated with narcolepsy.