Cataplexy

The term cataplexy originates from the Greekkata meaning down and plexis meaning a stroke or seizure, implying a falling-down seizure.

Cataplexy often affects people who have narcolepsy, a disorder whose principal signs are EDS (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness), sleep attacks, and disturbed nightime sleep.

Cataplexy manifests itself as muscular weaknesswhich may range from a barely perceptible slackening of the facial musclesto the dropping of the jaw or head, weakness at the knees, or the total collapse. Usually the speechis slurred, visionis impaired (double vision, inability to focus), but hearing and awarenessremain normal. These attacks are triggered by strong emotionssuch as exhilaration, anger, fear, surprise, and laughter.

Cataplexy has so far only been found in subjects with narcolepsy and is therefore thought of as the same thing. Cataplexy is also sometimes confused with epilepsy, where a series of flashes may cause coma or stroke. Despite its relation to narcolepsy, cataplexy must be treated differently and separate medication must be taken.

External links

• Narcolepsy Association UKpl:Katapleksja

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataplexy Wikipedia article Cataplexy.