What is a common symptom of narcolepsy?

Uncontrollable sleep episodes that may occur during the day is a primary symptom of narcolepsy. This condition is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, which leads to sudden and involuntary episodes of falling asleep during the day, regardless of the situation. These episodes can happen at any time, even during activities that require alertness, such as talking, eating, or driving.

The nature of these sleep episodes differentiates narcolepsy from other sleep disorders. While individuals with other disorders might struggle with nighttime sleep or experience nightmares, those specific symptoms do not define narcolepsy. Instead, it is this unexpected and uncontrollable tendency to fall asleep that is the hallmark of the disorder, impacting daily functioning and quality of life.

Understanding the specifics of narcolepsy is essential, as treatment and management strategies often focus on addressing these sudden and severe sleep attacks.