Narcolepsy and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness — Comprehensive Sleep Care Center

Comprehensive Sleep Care Center diagnoses and treats narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in adults and children throughout Virginia and Maryland. Our board-certified sleep neurologists and sleep medicine specialists are among the most experienced providers of narcolepsy care in the Washington, DC region.

What Is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder in which the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle is impaired. People with narcolepsy experience overwhelming daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep at inappropriate times — regardless of how much sleep they got the night before. Narcolepsy is frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed for years; the average time from symptom onset to diagnosis is seven to ten years.

Types of Narcolepsy

  • Narcolepsy Type 1 (with cataplexy) — characterized by EDS and cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by strong emotions such as laughter or surprise); caused by loss of hypocretin-producing neurons in the brain
  • Narcolepsy Type 2 (without cataplexy) — characterized by EDS without cataplexy; hypocretin levels are typically normal

Symptoms of Narcolepsy

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) — the hallmark symptom; an irresistible urge to sleep throughout the day
  • Cataplexy — sudden muscle weakness or paralysis triggered by strong emotions (Type 1 only)
  • Sleep paralysis — temporary inability to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up
  • Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations — vivid, dream-like experiences when falling asleep or waking
  • Fragmented, disrupted nighttime sleep
  • Automatic behaviors — performing routine tasks without awareness or memory of doing so

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Phone: 703.729.3420

Fax: 703.729.3422

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Diagnosing Narcolepsy at CSCC

Narcolepsy is diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluation and specialized sleep testing:

Overnight Polysomnography (PSG)

An in-lab overnight sleep study to rule out other causes of excessive daytime sleepiness, particularly sleep apnea.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

The MSLT is the definitive diagnostic test for narcolepsy. Conducted the day following the overnight PSG, it measures how quickly a patient falls asleep in a quiet environment during five scheduled nap opportunities. People with narcolepsy fall asleep very rapidly and enter REM sleep unusually quickly during these naps.

Narcolepsy Treatment at CSCC

  • Wakefulness-promoting medications (modafinil, armodafinil, solriamfetol) to reduce daytime sleepiness
  • Sodium oxybate (Xyrem/Lumryz) for cataplexy and nighttime sleep consolidation
  • Pitolisant (Wakix) — a novel histamine H3 antagonist for EDS and cataplexy
  • Stimulant medications for refractory EDS
  • Behavioral strategies: scheduled naps, sleep hygiene, activity planning
  • Education and workplace/school accommodation guidance

Frequently Asked Questions — Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder caused by a deficiency of hypocretin (also called orexin), a brain chemical that promotes wakefulness. Unlike ordinary tiredness, narcolepsy-related sleepiness does not improve with more nighttime sleep and causes sleep attacks that occur suddenly regardless of circumstances.

Yes. Narcolepsy can begin at any age but most commonly first appears in adolescence or early adulthood. CSCC has pediatric sleep specialists experienced in evaluating and diagnosing narcolepsy in children.

Get Evaluated for Narcolepsy

If you or your child experiences uncontrollable daytime sleepiness, call Comprehensive Sleep Care Center at (703) 729-3420 or visit comprehensivesleepcare.com. Telemedicine consultations available.