Understanding Narcolepsy; Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

Causes And Risk Factors

Most diagnosed cases of narcolepsy are caused by a lack of the hormone orexin, which regulates an individual's sleep-wake cycle, though not all cases are caused by a lack of orexin. Many factors can increase the risk of narcolepsy including genetics, hormonal changes, stress, a change in sleeping patterns, an infection, or having the Pandemrix vaccination. The Pandemrix vaccine was used to treat swine flu in children during the epidemic between 2009 and 2010. However, research has shown one out of fifty-two-thousand developed narcolepsy after receiving the vaccination. As a result, Pandemrix is no longer given to those under twenty years old. Other factors that may play a role in developing narcolepsy include head injuries, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and encephalitis. It has been reported damage to the areas of the brain that produce the hormone orexin can result in the development of the disorder.

Learn about how narcolepsy can be diagnosed next.