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8 common early symptoms of narcolepsy

8 common early symptoms of narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that can make one feel extremely drowsy during the day. Those affected also find it harder to stay awake for longer periods and consequently experience trouble carrying out daily tasks. Narcolepsy can be managed with prescriptions and other remedies, with early treatment helping control symptoms that affect daily routine. So, here are early warning signs of narcolepsy that should prompt one to seek medical intervention:

1. Excessive daytime sleepiness
One of the most visible early warning signs of narcolepsy is feeling excessively sleepy during the day. Further, one may fall asleep without warning anytime and anywhere. For instance, one might be working or talking to their friends and fall asleep out of the blue. They may stay asleep for a few minutes or up to half an hour. While they might feel refreshed when they wake up, the symptoms might return soon after.

2. Automatic behavior
Those with narcolepsy may continue to function even through their episodes of sleep, such as talking or putting away things. However, they may have no memory of performing these tasks once awake. These activities may also be routine activities that one typically carries out while awake. Studies show that about 40% of people with narcolepsy experience episodes of such automatic behavior. Here, one may also act out in their dreams at night by kicking, screaming, and flailing their arms.

3. Changes in sleep
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the period in which most of the dreaming takes place. One usually enters this phase about 60 to 90 minutes after falling asleep. However, those affected by narcolepsy usually progress to REM sleep much sooner. They might enter REM sleep within 15 minutes of going to bed. Moreover, this might occur at any time of the day.

4. Sudden loss of muscle tone
Those with narcolepsy may also experience the sudden loss of muscle tone called cataplexy. Experts indicate that this issue is often triggered by intense emotions, including laughter or excitement. However, some might experience it as a result of fear, surprise, or anger. For example, when one laughs, their head may drop without control, or their knees may suddenly lose strength, making them fall. This brief muscle weakness might last up to a few minutes and cannot be controlled. While some with narcolepsy may experience only one or two episodes of cataplexy a year, others may have several episodes in a day.

5. Sleep paralysis
One may also experience sleep paralysis as an early sign of narcolepsy. Here, one is usually unable to move or speak while falling asleep or upon waking up. The symptom is usually brief and may last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. This might be a startling symptom, as one might be aware of it happening and can recall it afterward. However, not everyone with the condition experiences sleep paralysis.

6. Hallucinations
When dealing with narcolepsy, one might start to see things that are not real (i.e., they hallucinate). The phenomenon may also develop simultaneously with other symptoms like sleep paralysis. Known as hypnagogic hallucinations, these usually develop as one falls asleep. If these hallucinations develop when one is walking, the phenomenon is known as hypnopompic hallucination. For example, one might feel as if there is a stranger in their bedroom. Here, one may not be completely asleep when they begin hallucinating, which, over time, could affect their mental well-being.

7. Changes in behavior
Mental health issues have been linked to narcolepsy. While the exact relationship remains unclear, studies have shown there is a higher risk of conditions like depression in those with narcolepsy than those without. So, narcolepsy may affect mood, causing changes like irritability. Other commonly associated symptoms include seeming distracted or uninterested in activities that one enjoyed earlier, intense sleepiness, and trouble making decisions.

8. Fatigue
Those with narcolepsy might also experience symptoms like intense fatigue and a lack of energy. As the disorder can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle, one might find it hard to stay awake during the day or even wake up multiple times at night. This might affect their ability to get proper rest and ultimately cause a loss of energy.

If one notices any of these symptoms, they must consult a doctor to seek appropriate treatment.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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Early warning signs of 6 types of muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy refers to more than 30 types of genetic disorders that may damage or weaken muscles over time. It generally occurs due to a deficiency of the protein "dystrophin," which is crucial for muscle function. The signs and symptoms may vary depending on the type of MD, condition, and its severity in every affected individual. This article aims to identify six types of muscular dystrophy disorders and their early warning signs. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) DMD is one of the most common and chronic types of muscular dystrophy. Its onset typically occurs in early childhood, between the ages of 2 and 3. The condition typically affects boys, although there have been rare occurrences among girls as well. Due to its severity, people living with this health condition tend to have a shorter life expectancy. Common symptoms of DMD include: Trouble walking, running, or jumping Loss of reflexes Difficulty standing up Poor posture Waddling gait Bone thinning Abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis) Learning differences Delayed growth Breathing difficulties Difficulty swallowing Lung and heart weakness Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) BMD is a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and degeneration over time. Symptoms generally begin to develop between the ages of 5 and 15. Men are at the highest risk of inheriting this condition. Symptoms may include: Muscle weakness (generally in the arms and legs) Walking on the toes Frequent falls Muscle cramps Trouble getting up from the floor Difficulty walking up the stairs Low tolerance for exercise Fatigue Loss of balance and coordination Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) Congenital muscular dystrophy is a genetic muscle disorder that affects one right from birth or develops in the early stages of infancy. It is typically attributed to the loss of glycoproteins that impact muscle function and their ability to repair damage. Those with congenital muscular dystrophy may experience symptoms such as: Low levels of spontaneous movement (kicking or waving) Low muscle tone (hypotonia) Muscle weakness Poor muscle control Inability to sit or stand without support Scoliosis Foot deformities Trouble swallowing Respiratory problems Vision problems Speech problems Learning differences Myotonic dystrophy Myotonic dystrophy leads to progressive muscle weakness and wasting. Not only can this condition affect muscle movement, but it may also impact electrical activity in the heart. In some cases, it may also lead to diabetes, hormonal changes, reproductive problems, or tumor growth. The most commonly noticed symptoms of myotonic dystrophy include: Drooping muscles in the face Difficulty lifting the neck (due to weakened muscles) Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) Droopy eyelids Early balding (receding hairline) Cataracts Slow and irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia) Increased sweating Slurred speech Bowel problems (like diarrhea, constipation, or incontinence) Behavioral problems Excessive sleepiness and tiredness Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) This genetic disorder affects the muscles of the face, shoulder blades, and upper arms. According to research, most cases of FSHD result from genetic mutations of the double homeobox protein four gene (DUX4). Symptoms of this condition usually begin before the age of 20. While the condition progresses slowly, symptom severity may be highly variable among patients. Symptoms of FSHD may include: Difficulty chewing or swallowing Slanted shoulders The crooked appearance of the mouth Shoulder blades begin to appear wing-like Abdominal muscle weakness Facial weakness (making it difficult to smile or sip from a straw) Mild hearing loss Pain and inflammation Weakness in the lower legs Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) This rare genetic condition affects people of all genders. It causes muscle weakness around the eyelids and the throat, affecting vision, swallowing, and talking. Over time, this weakness may also extend to the neck and shoulders. Symptoms generally begin to show between the ages of 40 and 60. Some symptoms of OPMD include: Drooping eyelids Vision problems Trouble swallowing (dysphagia) Voice changes Heart problems Difficulty walking Tongue shrinking Pooling of saliva Weakness in the legs and arms Muscular dystrophy affects every person differently. Complications also depend on the type and severity of the disorder. There is no cure for these conditions. However, early diagnosis may help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Diagnostic tests may include blood testing, genetic testing, electromyography, neurological physical exam, muscle biopsy, cardiac testing, MRIs, ultrasounds, and exercise assessments. Once diagnosed, treatment is aimed at symptom management and may include physical, respiratory, speech, and/or occupational therapy, assisted ventilation, or surgery.

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