Understanding Narcolepsy; Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

How Does Diagnosing Narcolepsy Work?

A physical examination and detailed medical history are essential for the proper diagnosis of narcolepsy, as they can identify possible neurological conditions that may cause the symptoms. Although none of the significant signs remain exclusive to narcolepsy, type one narcolepsy is the easiest to diagnose due to having cataplexy as a symptom, which occurs in almost no other diseases.

Two tests can be performed at a sleep disorder clinic, and are usually required before a diagnosis can be determined. A polysomnogram (PSG) is an overnight test that monitors abnormalities in the REM cycle while the patient is asleep. The second test is the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), which is performed during the day to measure the patient’s tendency to fall asleep. This test determines whether or not REM sleep intrudes at inappropriate times of the day.

Discover the treatments available for narcolepsy next.