European Narcolepsy Alliance for Patients
Our main missions
- Be a leading voice of the patient organisations and patients in Europe
- Raise awareness – many people with narcolepsy are still undiagnosed
- Increase awareness on the impact of narcolepsy – offer better quality of life to people living with narcolepsy with less stigma, isolation and discrimination
- Promote narcolepsy in the health agendas of Europe and other institutions
- Promote equal access to medication and care throughout Europe
Are you a national nonprofit narcolepsy organisation?
What is Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a rare neurological condition that affects the brain’s ability to regulate the normal sleep-wake cycle. Narcolepsy is estimated to affect about 1 person in 2,500. That means that in Europe there are approximately 300 000 people who have narcolepsy. Most of them have not been diagnosed.
The most common symptom of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), brought about by an irresistible need to sleep at inappropriate times throughout the day. Many people with narcolepsy also experience cataplexy, a temporary involuntary loss of muscle control, usually in response to strong emotions.
In people with narcolepsy, the nocturnal sleep pattern is fragmented and typically involves numerous awakenings. When falling asleep people with narcolepsy may rapidly enter REM sleep, leading to unusual dream-like phenomena such as hallucinations.
If you want to know more about narcolepsy or suspect you might have narcolepsy, please contact your doctor and reach out to the patient organisation in your own country.