Narcolepsy is a serious medical problem that affects the brain's control of sleep and wakefulness. People with narcolepsy can be extremely sleepy during the day, and fall asleep quickly and deeply in the middle of doing things. Narcolepsy is particularly dangerous when it causes people to fall asleep while driving.
Narcolepsy usually starts in the teenage years. Regular and frequent naps during the day can help prevent falling asleep unexpectedly. Stimulant medications, like methylphenidate (i.e., Ritalin), can also help. Kids and parents might benefit from participating in a narcolepsy support group because dealing with narcolepsy can be very difficult.
Your doctor may prescribe a sleep study or genetic testing to learn more about your child's narcolepsy.
For more information on narcolepsy, visit www.sleepfoundation.org