Why is narcolepsy dangerous?

About one in 2,000 people have some form of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a lifelong sleep disorder that makes you feel overwhelmingly tired, and in severe cases, have sudden uncontrollable sleep attacks. Narcolepsy can impact nearly every aspect of your life. read more

Real harm can result from driving or doing other dangerous activities if your narcolepsy is not under control, as falling asleep at the wheel could be life-threatening. Narcolepsy will also cause sleep paralysis, cataplexy, and even hallucinations. read more

While narcolepsy can affect people of any age, it is most common in individuals between the ages of 15 and 25. While there is no known cause of narcolepsy, it is believed that there is a certain gene that controls the production of a certain chemical that could signal the start of sleep and when to wake up. read more

Narcolepsy symptoms can be very dangerous. Falling asleep or losing muscle control during normal daytime activities poses a serious safety risk. Some of the most dangerous scenarios are driving a car, operating machinery, and cooking. read more