Journal of Sleep Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Sleep Paralysis Resembling Temporary Paralysis

Bruce Rian^{* *}Correspondence: Bruce Rian, Department of Medicine, Central Clinic of Athens, Athens, Greece, Email:

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Description

A chronic sleep disorder called narcolepsy is characterised by extreme daytime sleepiness and unexpected sleep attacks. Regardless of the situation, people with narcolepsy frequently struggle to stay awake for extended periods of time. Everyday routine may be severely disrupted by narcolepsy. Cataplexy, an abrupt loss of muscular tone associated with narcolepsy that can be brought on by intense emotion.

Type 1 narcolepsy is characterised by cataplexy as an accompanying symptom. Type 2 narcolepsy is characterised by the absence of cataplexy. There is no real cure for the persistent illness of narcolepsy. However, we can manage the symptoms with the use of drugs and lifestyle modifications. We can manage narcolepsy by getting support from others, including our family, friends, colleagues, and teachers. For the first few years, the signs and symptoms of narcolepsy may get worse and then last the rest of someone's life.

Excessive drowsiness during daytime

Narcoleptics can fall asleep at any time or place without advance notice. For example, the person might be working or conversing with friends when all of a sudden they can fall asleep for a few minutes to a half-hour. They feel revived when we are first wake up, but eventually they can start to feel sleepy once more. Throughout the day, our focus and concentration may also decline. The first and most problematic symptom, excessive daytime sleepiness, makes it difficult for focus and perform to full potential.

Muscle tone suddenly declines

Cataplexy is a disorder that can lead to a variety of physical abnormalities, such as slurred speech to complete weakness of most muscles, and may last up to a few minutes.

Uncontrollable cataplexy is set on by strong emotions, usually good ones like laughter or excitement but sometimes occasionally by fear, surprise, or anger. For example, when we all are laugh, our knees may abruptly buckle or our head may drop involuntarily. While some narcoleptics only encounter one or two episodes of cataplexy each year, others endure many episodes every day. Cataplexy is not a common symptom of narcolepsy.

Sleep paralysis

When falling asleep or waking up, people with narcolepsy frequently experience a momentary inability to move or talk. These episodes can be frightful even though they are often brief, lasting only a few seconds or minutes. Even though they had no control over the situation that affected to us, may be aware of the condition and have no trouble remembering it afterwards.

This sleep paralysis resembles the temporary paralysis that typically takes place during REM sleep, which is a specific form of sleep. Our body might not be able to physically act out dream activity because of this brief immobility during REM sleep.

However, narcolepsy does not always accompany sleep paralysis. Many people who don't have narcolepsy occasionally have sleep paralysis.

Hallucinations

When we all fall asleep, these hallucinations are known as hypnagogic hallucinations, and when wake up, they are known as hypnopompic hallucinations. An illustration would be the sensation that a stranger is present in bedroom. Due to the possibility that they can start dreaming before falling asleep and experiencing to the dreams as reality, these hallucinations may be more intense and frightening.

The majority of dreams normally occur during Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. Narcoleptics can experience REM sleep at any moment of the day. Narcoleptics frequently enter REM sleep quickly, usually within 15 minutes after falling asleep. Other sleep problems, including obstructive sleep apnea, which causes periodic pauses in breathing during the night, restless legs syndrome, and even insomnia, may also be present in narcoleptics.