(HealthDayNews) -- Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder with no known cause that affects as many as 200,000 Americans. But fewer than 50,000 are diagnosed, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The main characteristic of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, even after getting enough sleep at night. A person with narcolepsy is likely to become drowsy or fall asleep at inappropriate times and places.
Narcolepsy often is mistaken as depression, epilepsy or the side effects of medications. Symptoms often become severe enough to cause serious disruptions in a person's social, personal and professional lives.
There is no cure, but treatment can help reduce symptoms. A group of drugs called central nervous system stimulants can help counter the excessive sleepiness. And scheduling short 15-minute naps two to three times a day can help the person stay more alert.
