Q My middle-school child keeps falling asleep in class and gets reprimanded by the teacher. Could it be narcolepsy?
A Adolescence is one of the times narcolepsy first appears. Polysomnography (including the MSLT) is needed to distinguish it from sleep deprivation. If the diagnosis is confirmed, it is important to inform the school of the medical facts and request support.
Detailed Answer
Narcolepsy often first appears in the teens. If irresistible drowsiness persists during class even with sufficient regular sleep, a sleep clinic evaluation is recommended. Diagnosis is possible with polysomnography and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). After diagnosis, submitting a medical certificate to the homeroom teacher and academic office and requesting accommodations greatly helps in keeping up with schoolwork.
Oriental Medicine Clinic Perspective
In adolescent narcolepsy, the consumption of spleen qi during the growth period can worsen symptoms. A practical Oriental medicine approach is to supplement spleen qi with a Bojungikgi-tang formula while also adjusting excessive academic burden and late-bedtime habits together.
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