Most of us take driving for granted. But not Isabel Lund. For several years she drove her car and on occasion at intersections at a red light something would happen. "Just be aware that I have not been with it for a couple of minutes, ok the lights green I gotta go. Its scary like oh my god this has happened it can't be."
The reason: Isabel has narcolepsy Dr. Michael Lucia, a sleep specialist says Its more common that cystic fibrosis. Dr. Lucia says like many patients he sees, Isabel was sent to him for sleep apnea, but after sleeping the night in a lab, and then being tested the next day during naps. Dr. Lucia says it was evident Isabel's sleep patterns, and the depth of her sleep was fouled up. "There is a dramatic improvement in their wakefulness after the nap. The other thing is..the flip side is they could get 8-to-10-hours of sleep at night a good night's sleep or what should be a good night's sleep and they are still within two hours of getting up they are completely sleepy."
Dr. Lucia says we don't know the exact caused of narcolepsy...we do know there is a genetic link, it effects the same amount of men as women, and is usually diagnosed when patients are in their twenties. Treatment may involve drugs which help the patient sleep deeper during the evening and stay alert during the day. Advancements in these medications mean the patient does not have to feel groggy or hyped up during the day.