An unusual disease in which a person is unable to control his own sleep and wakefulness is called “narcolepsy.” It comes from the Greek words narkē, meaning numbness, and lēpsis, meaning sleep.
This neurological disorder is also called paroxysm of intractable sleepiness or Gelineau's disease. This French neurologist first described this disease in the late seventies of the 19th century. For several years, Jean Baptiste Edouard observed a 38-year-old wine merchant who went to the doctor with his problem.
A man could fall asleep up to two hundred times during the day while eating, sitting in a theater chair at a performance, or while talking - starting to speak and “passing out” mid-sentence. During intense experiences and a surge of emotions, his drowsiness was accompanied by a loss of muscle tone, and he fell. His consciousness remained quite clear. Gelineau called this case cataplexy.
Doctor Samuel Brock (USA) in 1928 discovered another form of narcolepsy, which he called sleep paralysis. His patient, a twenty-two-year-old boy, suffered from attacks of drowsiness and catalepsy, but these were also followed by a temporary inability to move and speak. In this state, he experienced very plausible hallucinations, which were generally unusual for him.
Causes of a special illness
Narcolepsy is a fairly rare disease (affects 1 person out of 2 thousand). It develops mainly in 20-50 year old men, but can also appear in childhood. Despite its low prevalence, this pathology is very dangerous, because an individual can suddenly fall asleep at any moment and anywhere while performing some action. Such an attack cannot be controlled and therefore interferes with normal activities - it is impossible to properly study, work, do everyday activities, or drive a car. All this negatively affects personal and social life. Children with this disease are developmentally delayed.
The sensations of those suffering from narcolepsy are similar to those experienced by people who have not slept for two days, and this reduces the quality of life.
Researchers cannot explain the exact cause of drowsiness syndrome, since it has not been studied enough due to its uniqueness. However, it turned out that psychological and psychiatric problems are not to blame.
Currently, the following factors for the development of the disease are called:
- heredity;
- lack of special genes of hypocretins (orexins) - neurotransmitters that ensure the transmission of signals to sleep and awakening in the brain;
- dysfunction of the immune system;
- overwork;
- severe infections;
- skull injuries;
- viral diseases;
- malfunctions of the endocrine glands, including the pituitary gland.
Sleepy during the day and at night, narcoleptics often have trouble falling asleep or constantly wake up. This is associated with abnormalities in the areas of the brain that regulate the main stages of sleep: the rapid phase occurs earlier than normal, and the deep phase is absent altogether.
I often dream about flying
Constantly soaring is a real lucky person. Don't look for clues in this image. Take action, focus your energy on what you want most. If you soar serenely a lot, all night, you will soon take on a difficult task. Don't hesitate, you can do it.
If you want to take off, but don’t know how, you feel like you’re in a vicious circle. Intuitively trying to find a way out. If you start learning how to fly, you will soon see the solution to the problem. Jumping up and trying to soar up means you are working diligently, getting rid of unnecessary habits.
I dreamed that you had been able to fly for a long time and began to teach others. Excellent forecast. You have a wealth of knowledge. Now it's time to pass them on to others.
Manifestations of paroxysm of irresistible drowsiness
Symptoms of the disease first appear in adolescents or young adults, either immediately, or worsen gradually as they grow older:
- Strong desire to sleep during the day, despite a sufficient amount of sleep at night. Such irresistible drowsiness interferes with normal activity, as it is accompanied by lethargy, foggy thinking, apathy, and difficulty concentrating. A person feels “broken,” “squeezed like a lemon,” and constantly tired. He is not in the mood, he is constantly irritated, cannot remember important information, and loses motivation. At any moment and under any circumstances, the patient can fall asleep, and such attacks occur several times a day. It is easy to wake him up and after waking up he, just for a while, feels rested.
- Disturbance of normal sleep at night - frequent awakenings or insomnia.
- Cataplexy – with strong emotions (surprise, laughter, joy, rage, etc.) a sudden loss of muscle tone occurs. A person may fall due to weakness in the legs, arms become numb, and the head “falls.” Such an attack can last a moment or last half an hour.
- When falling asleep or waking up, terrible, very believable hallucinations arise, visual or in the form of sensations and sounds. They scare and even threaten.
- Sleep paralysis - waking up, the patient cannot move or say anything, but thinks quite adequately.
- Automaticity – performing actions “on autopilot”. A person may fall asleep but continue what he was doing while awake without realizing it. This is dangerous, since sleep can occur while driving a vehicle, cooking, etc.
People suffering from narcolepsy also complain of memory loss, double vision, and headaches.
If you have the above symptoms, you should consult a specialist for diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely get rid of this neurological disorder, but it is quite possible to correct it and thereby improve the quality of life.
Dream interpretation of flying above the ground
In a night dream, you were flying above the earth, as if jumping in space, you have internal complexes, you are tense, unsure of yourself, and do not adequately evaluate yourself. You are better than you think, so let go of the fear of taking bold steps and face challenges with confidence.
If you fly low over the ground, get ready for a long journey. The dream also promises you certain obstacles on the way to your goal. It is possible that all plans will be disrupted by sudden illness.
In a dream, you were flying high above the earth, all your plans will come true, you can take risks and communicate with new people. All meetings and activities will bring you joy and success.
In a dream, you felt that you were about to collide with the ground, but immediately woke up from your sleep, you were overcome by obsessive thoughts and anxiety. You cannot control the situation because the future seems doubtful and foggy to you. It is possible that the dreamer was squeezed by debts, loans, problems with his other half, or difficulties in raising a child. At the same time, no one sees or praises your work.
Interpreters are confident that it is time to stop this. Firstly, you need to rest, and secondly, make a schedule for the day. Review your budget, ask your loved ones for help. You will try, you will find a way out of the difficult situation.
Diagnostic features
Only a neurologist - somnologist, that is, a doctor specializing in sleep disorders, can make an accurate diagnosis of narcolepsy. It will not be possible to do this right away, since there are quite a lot of violations in this area for various reasons. Some doctors may not even remember the presence of such a disease as paroxysm of irresistible drowsiness - it is so rare.
First of all, the specialist will need to assess the general condition of the patient, which makes it possible to exclude other ailments that have similar symptoms. To do this, the doctor will study the medical history and conduct comprehensive studies in the somnology laboratory.
There are two tests to determine what kind of pathology a patient has:
- Polysomnography. Small electrodes are attached to the skin of a person in an isolated room using a jelly-like substance. They allow you to record intracerebral waves, heartbeat rhythm, eye movements, and muscle activity.
- The MSLT test is done after the previous one, but on the next day. Electrodes are also attached to the patient's body and the patient is allowed to fall asleep for 20 minutes. Several such attempts are made, maintaining an interval of 2 to 3 hours.
The results of these studies will provide data on the course of the disease and determine whether the presence of narcolepsy can be confirmed or whether the patient is affected by another disease associated with sleep disturbances and similar symptoms.
In addition to the above-mentioned procedures, an encephalogram of the brain is also necessary for this.
Symptomatic treatment
First of all, patients with narcolepsy are advised to lead a certain lifestyle:
- give up “heavy” foods, caffeine, alcohol, smoking;
- observe a sleep schedule - reduce daytime sleep, increase nighttime sleep, go to bed and get up at the same time;
- doing physical exercise;
- plan a schedule of your actions so that while performing certain actions (for example, driving a car) you are especially vigilant and careful. It is better to have someone nearby during this period.
To control sleep disturbances, drowsiness, and avoid hallucinations, the doctor prescribes certain medications to the patient - stimulants, antidepressants, etc. His recommendations should be strictly followed and any problem or change should be reported immediately.
Good news came out not long ago. Based on scientists’ assertion that one of the causes of narcolepsy is a lack of orexin in the brain (discussed above), a nasal spray containing it was developed. So far the drug has only been tested on monkeys, but after using it the animals were alert even with a lack of sleep. The military is interested in the development, but there is hope that it will reach the sick!
Behavioral therapy is also indicated. Family members of a person suffering from narcolepsy, as well as colleagues and superiors, should know about his illness - the attending physician should be the first to inform about this, and the patient himself should inform the rest. This makes it possible to avoid a lot of misunderstandings - those around you will understand the patient’s behavior and not think that he is deliberately shirking work, is lazy, becomes depressed, or suffers from a mental disorder.
Relatives will support the narcoleptic relative and help cope with the symptoms of the pathology. As for work, the employer, if possible, will create certain conditions if it is interested in such an employee. If not, then the patient will have to look for another source of income where his problem will not interfere with the performance of his official duties.
Parents of a child with such a disease should warn teachers about it. Teachers will definitely take measures to ensure that the student is not ridiculed, the educational process does not suffer, etc. The diagnosis will not be an obstacle to good performance and education.
Who is susceptible
Most often children can fly in their sleep. According to the bioenergetic theory, up to the age of 14 a person is highly susceptible to the influence of external factors. The emerging state of consciousness is vulnerable.
The process of knowing oneself and the surrounding reality raises questions. Subsequently, an attempt to see the world from different sides has a strong impact on the psycho-emotional state of the child.
As you know, rest allows you to relax and escape from extraneous thoughts. In this state, feelings and innermost thoughts are revealed to a person.
Children are much more susceptible than others. Reflected in vivid episodes, impressions and experienced emotions provoke unusual states. This explains weightlessness.
An adult has to fly less often in his sleep. Being morally mature, he is less influenced by everyday life. Emotional well-being can be disrupted by stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
A kind of “cry for help” of consciousness calls on the sleeper to pay attention to his own health.
In addition to psychological factors, somatic diseases influence the occurrence of feelings. Wanting to “free yourself from shackles,” overcome difficulties, and get back on your feet, a person subconsciously sees himself as healthy. Physical “health” is identified by flight – freedom of action, absence of barriers, disappointment.
Esotericists believe that lovers are susceptible to the influence of the phenomenon. The energy field of a “spiritualized” person expands, he becomes more receptive to changes.
In this case, “having your head in the clouds” is perceived directly. It is possible that people see prophetic dreams, predictive stories, vivid episodes, and a heightened perception of reality.
Things to keep in mind
Narcolepsy, unfortunately, accompanies a person throughout his life; its symptoms either stabilize or become more severe. Only through treatment and following the recommendations of a somnologist can you make attacks less frequent and weaker, and lead a completely normal socially active life.
And one more thing... Researchers recently found out that the great Leonardo da Vinci suffered from such a disease. She struck him after a three-year stay in the cellars of the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) in Venice. The thinker, engineer, artist, ahead of his time, managed to turn illness to his advantage. He built a wheelchair and it was always next to him - so the attacks of sleep did not take him by surprise. Leonardo almost never parted with a pencil and paper, so immediately after waking up he drew what he had imagined. So narcolepsy contributed to the creativity of a genius.
Flying over water in a dream
In a dream, the dreamer flew over a raging sea or ocean; he was worried about his current work. Something is probably not working out. Disagreements with loved ones can also be a cause of anxiety. Most likely, you yourself do not want to compromise, wanting to prove that you are right. Answer the question, what is more important to you: to prove that you are right or to preserve relationships with dear people?
In a dream, flying over water, you experienced genuine horror, you were afraid of crashing into the sea or lake, you are very afraid that your business in reality will fail, and everyone will laugh at you. Sometimes you need to be able to lose, so let go of the situation and let it develop as usual. Your inappropriate interference in the course of events can bring a lot of trouble.
In a dream, you flew over the water in a helicopter; soon you will make a major purchase. And if, in addition to water, you saw another landscape in your dream, you will soon have fun with your friends.
If you were flying over muddy or dirty water in a dream, you are being lazy, although the dream indicates that you need to take the bull by the horns and start working hard so as not to completely let things go.
