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Cataplexy - Cataplexy symptom, treatment, causes

Cataplexy is a brief attack of muscle paralysis and a resultant fall to the ground triggered by strong emotions such as excitement, laughter or anger. Cataplexy is believed to be due to a momentary disturbance of the part of the brain that controls muscle tone. It is usually treated with imipramine, an antidepressant drug. Attacks of cataplexy most often affect people who suffer from NARCOLEPSY - a sleep disorder characterised by an uncontrollable tendency to fall asleep.

Cataplexy is a strange neurologic condition, occasionally confused with epilepsy. Cataplexy often affects people who have narcolepsy, a disorder whose principal signs are excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, and disturbed nighttime sleep. Cataplexy is usually caused in association with intense emotions and emotional excitement such as laughter, anger, fear, or surprise. These patients experience sudden loss of muscle tone and fall to the floor because of laughter, stress, or frightening experiences. Cataplexy can exist by itself, or more commonly, as a feature of narcolepsy. The attacks can last just a few seconds or many minutes. They may end in the resumption of normal behaviour or be followed by sleep for half an hour. About 70 percent of people with narcolepsy experience cataplexy. In severe or complete cataplexy, patients are not able to remain standing and will either fall or sink to the ground. Cataplexy is usually triggered by emotions such as laughter, surprise, fear or anger, and is more common in times of stress. Cataplexy literally means "to strike down". It is characterized by sudden episodes of muscle weakness that occurs on both sides of the body. The effects of cataplexy vary with the muscle groups affected, but commonly include slurred speech, sagging jaw, drooping head, buckling knees and, less frequently, complete collapse resulting in falls.

There is no known cure for cataplexy, but treatment focuses on controlling its symptoms. Cataplexy is also sometimes confused with epilepsy, where a series of flashes or other stimulus cause similar seizures. Despite its relation to narcolepsy, cataplexy must be treated differently and separate medication must be taken. Cataplexy in severe cases can cause vital signs to be hard to detect without a continuous auditory pulse oximeter. In cataplexy, what is known as the H-reflex, a neurological pathway that causes muscle contractions, virtually disappears. During a cataplectic attack the person remains capable of moving their eyes, and can even do so voluntarily in response to questions. When cataplexy happens often, or cataplexy attacks make patients fall or drop things, it can have serious affects on normal activities.   It can cause accidents and be embarrassing when it happens at work or with friends. Patients with cataplexy will often avoid social situations which may lead to attacks and they can therefore become socially isolated. Currently, the most commonly used medication for the treatment of catplexy in the UK is clomipramine hydrochloride (Anafranil) - a tricyclic antidepressant which is licensed for this indication. The condition often can be completely controlled with imipramine or desipramine, given in gradually increasing doses.

Causes of Cataplexy

The common causes and risk factor's of Cataplexy include the following:

• Cataplexy is usually caused in association with intense emotions and emotional excitement..
• Anger.
• Laughter is the most common emotion that triggers an attack of cataplexy.
• Narcolepsy.

Symptoms of Cataplexy

Some sign and symptoms related to Cataplexy are as follows:

• Sudden loss of muscle tone and fall to the floor.
• Buckling of the knees.
• Sleep attacks.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Drooping eyelids or hand weakness.
• Difficulty moving arms or hands or a weakened grip.

Treatment of Cataplexy

Here is list of the methods to treat Cataplexy:

• Successful treatment of this disorder is using electromagnetic fields.
• Currently, the most commonly used medication for the treatment of catplexy in the UK is clomipramine hydrochloride (Anafranil) - a tricyclic antidepressant which is licensed for this indication.
• The condition often can be completely controlled with imipramine or desipramine, given in gradually increasing doses.
• Xyrem (sodium oxybate) is the first and only product approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cataplexy associated with narcolepsy.