Who Does Narcolepsy Affect?
Most cases of narcolepsy are sporadic meaning that there is no scientific explanation to point to why one person gets the condition over another. The first symptoms of the condition will usually appear between the ages of 15-30.
It is estimated that one in 3,000 Americans suffer from narcolepsy with cataplexy. Narcolepsy does not seem to be gender specific, affecting both males and females equally. Though not considered a genetic disorder, 10 percent of those diagnosed with narcolepsy report a family member with the disease.
Though the disease is under diagnosed and not fully understood, additional factors that seem to play a role in the development of the condition are immune-system dysfunction, infection, trauma, stress, and hormonal changes.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). "Narcolepsy Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)." http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/narcolepsy/detail_narcolepsy.htm#191363201
National Center for Biotechnology Information"Narcolepsy"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001805
"Who Does Narcolepsy Affect?." Sophisticated Edge. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://www.sophisticatededge.com/who-does-narcolepsy-affect.html>.
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