Narcolepsy is a central sleep-increasing disease. Patients often show five typical characteristics: uncontrollable drowsiness, paroxysmal collapse, sleep paralysis, sleep hallucination and night sleep disorder. Among them, sleep paralysis is the so-called "ghost pressing bed" phenomenon. Modern medical research shows that "ghost bed" does not exist, which is one of the symptoms of narcolepsy.
First, the cause of narcolepsy
The etiology of narcolepsy is generally unknown, which may be the result of the interaction of environmental factors and genetic factors. More than half of patients have certain incentives before the onset, such as emotional tension, excessive fatigue or excessive pressure, so it is very important to avoid the above incentives as much as possible if you have the disease unfortunately. About 8%- 10% of patients have family history, and the incidence of the first generation of immediate family members is 20-70 times that of ordinary people. This figure is amazing, that is, people often say "one disease at a time."
Second, the clinical manifestations of narcolepsy
The main symptoms include drowsiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, sleep hallucinations and sleep disorders at night.
About one-third of patients have all symptoms, and obese patients are more common. Some patients have symptoms of anxiety and depression, and about 20% patients have social phobia.
1. Excessive daytime sleepiness
All patients have excessive daytime sleepiness, which is usually irresistible. For example, when walking, eating or talking, family members often say that patients fall asleep after eating, and they can fall asleep after chatting. It is more likely to happen when there are few environmental stimuli such as reading, watching TV, driving, attending classes and meetings. Patients often wake up after a short sleep, but they don't want to sleep for a long time, so they are often misunderstood by classmates and colleagues.
Step 2: Fold
This is a characteristic manifestation of this disease. 60%-70% patients may be weak or even collapse, which is common in strong emotional stimuli such as anger and laughter. Therefore, doctors often warn patients to maintain emotional stability and try to avoid drastic emotional changes such as mixed feelings.
3. Sleep paralysis
It usually happens when people fall asleep or get up. Under normal circumstances, when patients wake up from deep sleep, they will temporarily be unable to move or talk, which will last for several seconds to several minutes. This is what most people usually call "the ghost presses the bed". Actually, what kind of ghosts are there in the world? This is all caused by disease.
4. Sleep hallucinations
Hallucinations often occur during the transition between awakening and sleep. Some patients are alone in the room, but they can hear other people's voices. Others can see some illusions that don't exist, and it is easy to associate them with ghosts and gods.
5. Sleep disorders at night
Patients often wake up more and dream more, it is difficult to fall asleep again, physical activity increases at night, and it is often difficult to get up in the morning because of drowsiness.
Third, the treatment of narcolepsy
Having said so many symptoms, how to treat this disease? Usually, patients should keep regular and adequate sleep at night, and take a planned nap during the day, especially a nap, to reduce drowsiness. Avoid driving, aerial work and underwater work. Children patients should communicate with teachers and parents in time to understand their children, and their studies are not easy to be too heavy.
Drug treatment: methylphenidate hydrochloride and modafinil can be used for excessive daytime sleepiness, tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine can be used for paroxysmal cataplexy, and new antidepressants include fluoxetine and paroxetine. In foreign countries, sodium γ -hydroxybutyrate is usually used to treat night sleep disorders, but there is no experience in China.
In any case, the "ghost press bed" certainly does not exist, and scientific diagnosis and treatment is the most powerful weapon to break the theory of ghosts and gods. I believe you can have a general understanding of narcolepsy through this popular science essay.
Authors: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Jilin University
Man Yuhong, Deputy Chief Physician