Cataplexy

The term cataplexy originates from the Greek kata meaning down and plexis meaning a stroke or seizure, implying a falling-down seizure.

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Cataplexy often affects people who have narcolepsy, a disorder whose principal signs

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are EDS (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness), sleep attacks, and disturbed nightime sleep.

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Cataplexy manifests itself as muscular weakness which may range from a barely perceptible slackening of the facial muscles to the dropping of the jaw or head, weakness at the knees, or the total collapse. Usually the speech is slurred, vision is impaired (double vision, inability to focus) but hearing and awareness remain normal. These attacks are triggered by strong emotions such as exhilaration, anger, fear, surprise, and

Related Topics:
Weakness - Muscles - Speech - Vision - Awareness - Anger - Fear

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laughter.

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