Understanding Cataplexy and Exploring its Treatments
Sleep disorders such as Cataplexy remain some of the most confusing and misunderstood conditions that occur with any frequency. Not only is a compulsion to sleep often dismissed as laziness by the uninformed, but it is also often viewed as a minor issue. This is unfortunate, as it can devastate your life if you suffer from any sleep disorders.
Some sleep issues have more severe consequences than others, and one of those is Cataplexy. This is a condition that sufferers of type 1 narcolepsy are prone to. If you or a loved one are having problems with sleep, understanding what is going on is important. Through understanding, you can begin to find solutions.
What is Cataplexy?
While associated with the Narcolepsy sleeping disorder, Cataplexy is actually a weakening of the muscles while awake. This is usually triggered at a time of heightened emotion. Due to how the effect appears, cataplexy symptoms can often be confused with a seizure, but it is not.
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If you have an episode, you may fall over or lose control of your facial expressions. It can be triggered by laughter, crying or anger among other strong emotional feelings.
While around 1 in 2000 people suffer from Narcolepsy, the number who also show symptoms of Cataplexy is even smaller. Studies show that around 19% of Narcolepsy patients are diagnosed with Cataplexy, although it is believed that around 70% have symptoms at some point. That means that there is a relatively low risk of any individual developing it. However, if you do suffer from Cataplexy, you will want to know why.
How does this Sleep Disorder develop?
Cataplexy symptoms usually develop after you show other symptoms of narcolepsy, specifically type 1 narcolepsy. What causes narcolepsy itself remains largely unproven, although there are some theories. The most common of these is low levels of a hormone called Hypocretin. Also known as Orexin, this hormone regulates the brain’s wake/sleep patterns.
The result of that lack of Hypocretin is that REM sleep occurs unexpectedly, bringing on the common narcolepsy symptoms. The reasons for low levels of the hormone are unknown, too, but they could be due to a malfunction in the autoimmune system, which then attacks the brain cells containing Hypocretin.
However, none of this is proven. It requires much more study to understand the underlying issues responsible.
What are some Cataplexy symptoms?
The obvious sign of Cataplexy is an episode of muscle weakness that causes the body to lose strength and control. This loss of muscle strength and control can last for a few seconds or as long as a few minutes. If you see it, you may mistake it for a seizure; however, there are differences. If you suffer an episode, your knees will buckle, your head will bob, and you may fall over. But the difference with Cataplexy symptoms is that you remain awake and aware of what is going on throughout.
Cataplexy episodes are triggered by strong emotions, such as joy, sadness, excitement, and so on. They may happen just a few times a year, or you could experience several in one day. While muscle weakness most commonly affects arms and legs, it can impact other areas. Attacks that affect the face cause drooping eyelids, slurred speech, and a slackened jaw. In the most severe attacks, you can suffer a total collapse of the body.
Are there any treatments for Cataplexy?
As there is no cure for narcolepsy, there are also no cataplexy treatments that guarantee success. Some medicines that have shown promise in easing symptoms include:
- tricyclic antidepressants
- selective serotonin uptake re-inhibitors (SSRIs)
- sodium oxybate
- modafinil
- amphetamines
When used in conjunction with behavioural changes, especially approaches that limit daytime sleeping, some patients have overcome about 90% of the symptoms. However, many of these medicines have disruptive side effects, so finding the right balance for you will take time.
In all cases, the condition will impact your lifestyle to protect you and those around you. Avoiding situations that would be dangerous during an attack, such as driving, are sensible precautions. But it is clear that if you have Cataplexy, your life will change.
Is there a difference between Cataplexy and Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is one of the more uncommon sleep disorders and is characterised by bouts of uncontrollable desire to sleep during the daytime, along with sleep paralysis and hallucinations. Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon where you feel unable to move as you are falling asleep or waking up. Sleep hallucinations give vivid, hyper-realistic visions during that same period. Combined, the hallucinations and paralysis can be very frightening and disorienting.
Cataplexy attacks do not make you lose consciousness, you remain aware throughout. The condition is a symptom of type 1 narcolepsy, and you must have narcolepsy to have cataplexy. However, you can have narcolepsy without having cataplexy.
Conclusion
Like many sleep disorders, the underlying reasons for you to develop narcolepsy remain uncertain. As a result, the causes of cataplexy are also similarly unclear. However, because it is a symptom of type 1 and not type 2 narcolepsy, we do have some insight. The difference between type 1 and type 2 is a low level of Hypocretin, so we can see that may be a factor in cataplexy, too.
If you do suffer from this sleep disorder, then it can be a mild problem or something severe with frequent attacks. Via a variety of medicines and behavioural coaching, it is possible to overcome most of the symptoms. However, it will require some lifestyle changes too. Activities that would be dangerous if you had an attack, such as driving, will have to be avoided.
Research into narcolepsy and, with it, cataplexy continues, and in the future, there may be better and more effective treatments to look forward to.