Did you know there are dos (that’s Spanish for “two”) forms of narcolepsy? Yep!
Type 1. Type 2. Very similar in truth. Both involve excessive sleepiness.
What distinguishes the types is the existence of cataplexy, or a spontaneous decline of muscle functionality due to strong emotions. People with Type 1 narcolepsy may drop to the floor or lose control of their face simply from laughing too hard.
Certain tests, such as a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) or a lumbar puncture, can determine the type of narcolepsy in a person.
MSLT – On Day 1, patients will undergo a normal sleep study overnight. Day 2 will put the patient through 20-minute-long naps every two hours. The researcher will measure how long it takes for the patient to fall asleep, and how quickly they slide into REM.
Lumbar puncture – Hypocretin levels in the CSF fluid are tested and measured. Based on the numbers, a diagnosed can be determined.
