![]() ![]() In others, only the upper body may be affected, the head and arms may collapse, while the person remains standing. The eyes may partially close, their jaws can become slack, and speech may become slurred. This could impact the muscles in the face or the neck. There will be some patients who will never have a full attack, just experiencing partial paralysis of isolated parts of the body. Many people report that their cataplexy becomes less severe over time, but these cases could be attributed to changes in behavior or medication compliance, and it’s still debated whether there is a natural evolution of cataplexy over a person’s lifetime.Īccording to Black, it’s challenging to know what to expect as people age. The variability among narcoleptic patients with cataplexy is wide, but the emotional triggers usually remain the same as people age, says Black. After someone retires, they might realize that the stress of work was a significant factor in worsening their cataplexy, says Jed Black, MD, an adjunct professor at Stanford University’s Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine. A death of a spouse late in life can trigger severe cataplexy after years without any episodes. In some instances, environmental factors can profoundly impact a person’s symptoms. So while it may appear like their symptoms are improving with age, they might just be learning to cope better with time. Krahn, MD, a psychiatrist at the Mayo Clinic. Since cataplexy is triggered by strong emotions, some patients can be taught how to block out their feelings through meditation techniques or by avoiding triggers, says Lois E. Numerous other accommodation solutions may exist.With more experience, people with narcolepsy can learn to better control their cataplexy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their sleep disorder has become less severe.Īs people age, they may be more likely to fall and injure themselves, but patients who suffer from cataplexy-a symptom of narcolepsy that causes loss of muscle tone-have a lifetime to learn about how to stay safe when their bodies fail them. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Be aware that not all people with cataplexy will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. People with cataplexy may develop some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. For more information about how to determine whether a person has a disability under the ADA, see How to Determine Whether a Person Has a Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). Instead, the ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. The ADA does not contain a definitive list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Cataplexy and the Americans with Disabilities Act Some of the most common limitations stemming from a cataplectic attack are weakened speech, vision issues, trouble balancing, upper extremity weakness, and/or collapsing. While a cataplectic attack is usually very short in duration and leaves no residual effects, there may be symptoms that would require workplace accommodations. Other symptoms may include balance issues, upper extremity weakness, and/or collapsing. Some people with narcolepsy can have cataplectic attacks almost daily, while there are some people with narcolepsy that have never experienced cataplexy.ĭuring a cataplectic attack the person will remain conscious however, the person may experience jaw dropping, which can cause speech limitations, or eyelids drooping, which can interfere with vision. These episodes tend to have few, if any, residual effects. Most episodes are short in duration, lasting a few seconds up to five minutes. Cataplexy by itself is considered a rare disease. Cataplexy is the sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone or temporary paralysis that is often triggered by extreme emotion, such as laughter or fear. ![]()
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