There are two main types of narcolepsy - narcolepsy with cataplexy and narcolepsy without cataplexy. You may ask, what is cataplexy? Cataplexy is a sudden and uncontrollable muscle weakness or paralysis that is often triggered by a strong emotion, such as excitement or laughter.
People who experience cataplexy as one of their narcolepsy symptoms often times have low levels of hypocretin, while those who do not experience cataplexy symptoms have normal levels of hypocretin. Hypocretin, also known as orexin, is a brain chemical that regulates arousal, wakefulness and apptetite.
Some reasons that people with narcolepsy may be producing low levels of hypocretin include:
Autoimmune disorders that cause a loss of the brain cells that produce hypocretin
Brain injuries that specifically impact the section of the brain that controls wakefulness and REM sleep
September is Suicide Prevention Month – which aims to create hope through action by creating safe spaces for those struggling with the goal of preventing suicide all together. The issue is far reaching. Nearly 46,000 individuals died by suicide in 2020, and 46% of those people had a known mental health condition. Although mental health issues and illnesses, like depression, can lead to suicide, there are many reasons someone may decide to take their own life. However, most people believe that suicide can be prevented.
This year, WABA’s emphasis for World Breastfeeding Week is on strengthening the capacity of actors that protect, promote and support breastfeeding across different levels of society including governments, health systems, workplaces and communities to provide and sustain breastfeeding-friendly environments for families in the post-pandemic world. According to WABA, breastfeeding can assist with sustainable development strategies post-pandemic, as it can improve nutrition, ensure food security, and reduce inequalities between and within countries.
Anger is a normal human emotion, but if it’s frequent or intense it can harm your physical and mental health and damage your relationships. Learn ways to stay calm and keep anger from escalating.
If you've never had an online psychiatry visit before, you might have some questions about how the process works. Dr. Churi, Amwell’s staff psychiatrist, shares answers and helpful information about telepsychiatry.
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