What is one key symptom of narcolepsy?

Excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks are hallmark characteristics of narcolepsy. Individuals with this condition often experience overwhelming sleepiness during the day, which can lead to unexpected and uncontrollable sleep episodes, known as sleep attacks. These episodes can occur at any time, including during activities such as eating, talking, or driving, which can significantly disrupt daily life and safety.

The core symptom of excessive daytime sleepiness can often be linked to disturbances in the normal sleep-wake cycle, reflecting the intense and chronic fatigue experienced by those with narcolepsy. Unlike other sleep disorders, narcolepsy not only involves difficulties with excessive sleepiness but also can include other symptoms like cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone), hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis, further defining its distinctive profile among sleep disorders.