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Date of Award

Spring 2024

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Timothy Besse

Abstract

Despite being an essential process for all humans, sleep is often overlooked due to a lack of conscious effort and a lack of information. Sleep plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, from repairing tissues and cells throughout the body to metabolic regulation. A good sleep cycle consists of not only the quantity of sleep but also the quality of sleep. Many pathologies can interrupt good sleep, narcolepsy being one of them. Narcolepsy is a rare neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Although rare, narcolepsy can impact various aspects of life, such as physical, mental, and emotional health. Often, sleep disorders such as narcolepsy are under-diagnosed due to symptoms being perceived as normal by patients, thus not seeking care, or due to healthcare professionals not being familiar with the symptoms and diagnostic criteria, thus leading to a misdiagnosis. It is essential to recognize and treat this disorder to minimize the negative impact, both short-term and long-term, the disorder can have.

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Wake Up Call: Recognizing and Treating Narcolepsy

Despite being an essential process for all humans, sleep is often overlooked due to a lack of conscious effort and a lack of information. Sleep plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, from repairing tissues and cells throughout the body to metabolic regulation. A good sleep cycle consists of not only the quantity of sleep but also the quality of sleep. Many pathologies can interrupt good sleep, narcolepsy being one of them. Narcolepsy is a rare neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Although rare, narcolepsy can impact various aspects of life, such as physical, mental, and emotional health. Often, sleep disorders such as narcolepsy are under-diagnosed due to symptoms being perceived as normal by patients, thus not seeking care, or due to healthcare professionals not being familiar with the symptoms and diagnostic criteria, thus leading to a misdiagnosis. It is essential to recognize and treat this disorder to minimize the negative impact, both short-term and long-term, the disorder can have.