Sleepdoctor, on narcolepsy

Liz Ditz, of I Speak of Dreams, asked: "...who is the genius, the dab hand, the magister of narcolepsy?"

Whenever I've had a patient with narcolepsy, I've always worked with a sleep specialist. I forwarded her e-mail to the sleepdoctor. He posts a long response, and promises more:

Narcolepsy is a chronic (long-lasting) neurological (affecting the brain or nerves) disorder that involves your body's central nervous system. The central nervous system is the 'highway' of nerves that carries messages from your brain to other parts of your body. For people with narcolepsy, the messages about when to sleep and when to be awake sometimes hit roadblocks or detours and arrive in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is why someone who has narcolepsy, not managed by medications, may fall asleep while eating dinner or engaged in social activities - or at times when he or she wants to be awake..."

Thanks, Dr. Rack (it's good to hear from you again!).