We all tend to fall asleep when we are tired but have you sometimes caught yourself and wondered "Why do I keep falling asleep when I sit down?” This may be a warning sign of a dangerous underlying condition called narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder affecting 1 in every 2000 people, in which the brain is unable to regulate the day-to-night (diurnal) rhythm of sleep and wakefulness. Due to this dysregulation, you tend to fall asleep several times during the day regardless of what situation you are in. These episodes of suddenly falling asleep can prove to be life-threatening if they occur during driving or handling heavy machinery.

About Narcolepsy: Causes & Symptoms

Here are top causes and most common symptoms of narcolepsy.

1. Top 5 possible causes of narcolepsy

The following are 5 most common causes of narcolepsy.

• Lack of Hypocretin

Hypocretin is the hormone responsible for regulation of sleep patterns and keeps the brain awake. People with narcolepsy have been found to have subnormal levels of hypocretin in their brain, which leads to an increased tendency to fall asleep from time to time.

• Auto immunity

Our immune system is responsible for protecting us from infections. Harmful organisms are attacked by antibodies in a normal immune reaction. However, in an autoimmune reaction, these antibodies are directed against body's own cells. Some patients suffering from autoimmune disorders form antibodies against trib 2, which is a protein formed in the same location of the brain that forms hypocretin cells. This triggers the immune system to attack those brain cells that make hypocretin, causing the deficiency of this sleep-regulating hormone.

• Certain brain injuries like trauma

Injuries to the brain in the form of stroke, poisoning, hemorrhage due to a fall, decreased oxygen supply, etc., can affect any part of the brain including the sleep regulation center. Damage to these cells will cause narcolepsy.

• Swine flu and other life-threatening infections

Infections can damage the brain cells in two ways: either by direct damage or by inducing the immune system to produce antibodies against the brain cells. An autoimmune response against hypocretin neurons could be triggered by the bacteria causing swine flu and related disease.

• Disturbance in your sleep pattern - Sudden changes in your sleep pattern when you are overworked, stressed, have a baby who wakes up several times a night, or any other reason can precipitate the condition. This could be a direct and simple answer to your question – why do I fall asleep in front of the TV every night?

2. Common symptoms of narcolepsy

How do you know you have narcolepsy? Symptoms to look for:

• Loss of muscle control

Also known as cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle tone may result due to an intense emotional state like fear, anger, excitement, etc. It is characterized by a sudden loss of control over the body, muscle flaccidity, and falling.

• Falling asleep multiple times during the day

Due to unregulated sleep cycles and deficiency of hypocretin, the brain tends to gently slip into short and frequent slumbers during the day. This is the most common symptom of narcolepsy which reduces the work efficiency of people.

• Sleep paralysis

This is a situation where you are unable to perform certain activities (like moving body parts or talking to someone). This sleep paralysis usually occurs at the initial phase of your sleep or when your sleep ends, and may last a few seconds or several minutes.

• Hallucinations

The dreams that we have while sleeping occurs during the the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) phase of sleep. Due to poor control of sleeping patterns, these dreams present themselves while the person is awake, giving the appearance that all those events are happening in reality. This is what causes hallucinations in narcolepsy.

• Microsleep

It is a brief and uncontrollable session of sleep when you carry on with some basic activities like talking or walking, however, you tend to lose the memories associated with these activities as soon as you resume wakefulness.

Some other symptoms that you may experience while suffering from narcolepsy include:

• You have a hard time concentrating on your work
• You feel dazed and drowsy
• You cannot function to the best of your capacity
• You may have possible memory loss

5 Proven Natural Remedies for Narcolepsy

After having a look at the symptoms, let's go through some of the home remedies that could help some of the symptoms subside. As always, for fast and accurate treatment of the problem, it is always recommended to have visit a nearby hospital.

1. Take your sleep very seriously

One of the reasons for falling asleep sitting up is poor quality of sleep at night. Set a schedule for yourself. Keep a fixed time to go to bed and avoid the use of screens (television and cellphones) 2 to 3 hours before that. Also, it is important to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night in order to function to the best of your capacity the next day.

2. Incorporate some exercise into your routine

Exercise will reduce stress and help you in getting a better quality of sleep. Make sure to exercise for at least 30-45 minutes per day.

3. Reduce your caffeine intake

Caffeine is a nervous stimulant which can increase your brain activity and prevent you from falling asleep. If taken close to bedtime, coffee will interfere with the sleeping patterns. It can also cause anxiety and jitteriness when combined with other stimulant medications. Make sure that you do not consume more than two cups of coffee per day.

4. Eat a balanced diet

Have a high protein and low carbohydrate diet. It will help you stay awake and active throughout the day. This is because high carbohydrates make you sluggish and increase your tendency to fall asleep during the day. Proteins, on the other hand, keep you active all the time.

5. Indulge in stress-busting activities

Manage your stress levels, since symptoms of narcolepsy such as cataplexy worsen during periods of high stress. Stress-busting activities such as yoga will not only improve your symptoms but also keep you active during the day.

Despite all your efforts, if you still continue to experience symptoms like poor memory, obesity, or the feeling that your symptoms are worsening, it is time to see a doctor and get a proper medical treatment for this condition.

Takeaway

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterised by episodes of falling asleep suddenly and frequently. It may prove to be fatal if such an episode occurs while driving. As soon as you experience symptoms of narcolepsy, you should go and see a doctor to get it treated medically. Setting a sleep schedule, reducing your caffeine intake, and reducing stress will help in a faster recovery. To explore further on your queries regarding "Why do I keep falling asleep when I sit down?” you should watch the below video.