Cataplexy

Cataplexy is a condition that causes muscle weakness, and it’s usually a transient condition and doesn’t last for a long time.

Cataplexy

Cataplexy is a main symptom of type 1 narcolepsy, and it’s characterized by mild to severe brief muscle weakness that occurs while being awake.

Causes of cataplexy

• Cataplexy is primarily triggered by intense emotions, especially negative ones.
• Cataplexy is a main symptom of type 1 narcolepsy, and it occurs as a result of the deficiency in the orexin (hypocretin), which is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in promoting wakefulness. Normally, you enter into a muscle paralysis state while sleeping, but in the case of cataplexy, going through strong emotions while being awake stimulates certain areas in the brain, and with orexin being less than normal, this causes temporary muscle paralysis.

Symptoms of cataplexy

• Muscle weakness usually starts in the face and neck and moves to the trunk and limbs.
• It looks like facial drooping, slurred speech, sagging jaw, and mild head drop, and it could cause total loss of control of the muscles and collapsing.
• The attack lasts seconds or minutes and goes away on its own. Some people might have multiple attacks a day or only a few episodes a year.
• Children mostly suffer from facial, eyelid, and jaw weakness.

Diagnosis of cataplexy

• Evaluating the symptoms.

Treatment of cataplexy

• Medications.
• Lifestyle and sleep pattern changes.