This article on Epainassist.com has been reviewed by a medical professional , as well as find out for facts , to assure the readers the best potential accuracy .
We follow a exacting editorial policy and we have a zero - tolerance policy regarding any horizontal surface of piracy . Our articles are resourced from reputable on-line pageboy . This clause may contain scientific references . The numbers in the parentheses ( 1 , 2 , 3 ) are clickable links to match - review scientific papers .
The feedback connexion “ Was this clause Helpful ” on this page can be used to report content that is not precise , up - to - date or confutable in any manner .
This article does not provide medical advice .
What is Cataplexy?
Cataplexy is a condition characterized by sudden weakening of a muscularity colligate with a string emotion or emotional sensation.1It occurs after emotional out - outburst such as express joy , shout or feel furious , and it may be feel as loss of control over facial expressions . Cataplexy is often associated withnarcolepsy ; which is a neurologic upset which cause the touched mortal to find extremely sleepyheaded during the solar day . However , it has been approximate that only 1 out of 1000 people may have narcolepsy and the chances of get cataplexy is even lesser . It is important to understand that cataplexy can do going of brawn ascendence at wrong time such as drive , which can be quite dangerous .
Symptoms of Cataplexy
The symptoms link up with cataplexy may motley from somebody to somebody . In most of the fount , the symptom are noted during teen days or during youthful adult phase angle such as while enter college , first job etc . It is generally noted during a stressful phase of life history . The most common symptom of cataplexy include :
A lot of metre , cataplexy may be mistaken for seizure onslaught . However , unlike seizure , the touched somebody does not lose his knowingness and he or she is capable to remember everything that hap during the cataplexy episode . While some of these episodes may last for a couple of endorsement , some can even last for minutes . Cataplexy fall out after the person experiences a strong emotion such as :
However , these emotional trigger are not unremitting and can vary with situation and also from item-by-item to individual . If an emotion causes cataplexy during one episode , it may not be the same trigger during the next installment .
Causes of Cataplexy
In case of narcolepsy with cataplexy , the brain may not have adequate orexin ( hypocretin ) ; which is a chemical in the brain responsible for for keeping us alert and controls theREM ( speedy centre movement)sleep cycle . This drop-off in orexin grade get symptoms of cataplexy . In most of the cases , cataplexy is consort with : Genetic heritage or family story of cataplexy
Diagnosis of Cataplexy
Diagnosis is often done by a brain doctor or a slumber expert . diagnosing involves obtaining a detailed case account followed by a full strong-arm examination to assess the general health condition of the patient role . This is follow by spell evaluation such as Epworth Sleepiness Scale or the Stanford Narcolepsy Questionnaire , to get a better understanding of the sleep drug abuse of the somebody . A sleep subject field ( polysomnogram ) may be convey to valuate the muscle and brain while sleeping . Other tests include nap rotational latency examination and microscopical subject of the fluid collected from around the spinal electric cord and mind ( CSF fluid or cerebrospinal fluid ) .
Treatment of Cataplexy
Treatment of cataplexy depends of the inclemency of the condition . It is commonly treated with medicinal drug and life style changes . The most common medications used for discussion of cataplexy include :
Other medicament for cataplexy such as modafil and amphetamines may also be dictate depending on the symptoms of the patient role .
It is important to inform the patient and his family about the side result of these medications for cataplexy which admit nervousness , mood swinging , abnormal heart rhythms , chances of addiction etc .
References :
Also learn :
