Definition of narcolepsy Narcolepsy

/nɑˈɹkʌlɛˌpsi/ - [narkulepsee] - nar•co•lep•sy

We found 6 definitions of narcolepsy from 6 different sources.

What does narcolepsy mean?

WordNet

Noun

Plural: narcolepsies

narcolepsy - a sleep disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep; "he believes that narcolepsy is attributable to an inability to suppress REM sleep during waking"

hypersomnia an inability to stay awake

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

Wiktionary

narcolepsy (Noun)
A disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable attacks of deep sleep, often brief, sometimes accompanied by paralysis and hallucinations.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

narcolepsy
A chronic sleep disorder characterized by an excessive urge to sleep at inappropriate times.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

narcolepsy
nar′kō-lep-si, n. a nervous disorder marked by frequent short attacks of irresistible drowsiness

Wikipedia

Narcolepsy is a neurological condition. Those who suffer from it tend to fall asleep during the daytime, even if they do not want to.

Symptoms.

Hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and automatic behaviour can also occur in people who are not narcoleptics. This usually happens when people are very tired, and have not slept for a long time.

Causes.

It is not yet known what causes narcolepsy. However, quite a few sufferers also have another family member with the disease. This may point to the fact that some of the things that cause the disease may be passed from the parents to the children through genes.

Treatments.

There are certain drugs that can treat the effects of narcolepsy. They can not treat the cause, since it is unknown. In general those drugs are special kinds of stimulants. General stimulants, like coffee, usually do not help.

Insomnia could be considered the opposite of narcolepsy.