Most states ask you to voluntarily report any medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive when you apply for a driver's license. (2010). A Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is a way for your doctor to check how alert you are and how well you may be able to stay awake during activities like driving. In the past few decades, scientists have made considerable progress in understanding narcolepsy and identifying genes strongly associated with the disorder. Family historyMost cases of narcolepsy are sporadic, meaning the disorder occurs in individuals with no known family history. The CDC also states that driving while sleepy is similar to drunk driving and can compromise a persons ability to drive safely. Sleep paralysis- This never occurs prior to falling asleep but occasionally I will wake up paralyzed and this will last upwards of 1-2 minutes. Self-awareness about sleepiness patterns and cataplexy triggers can help you reduce the risk of accidents at home or work. A report from The Huffington Post examines the regulations regarding individuals with narcolepsy driving motor vehicles and the precautions they need to take to drive safely. Brain injuriesRarely, narcolepsy results from traumatic injury to parts of the brain that regulate wakefulness and REM sleep or from tumors and other diseases in the same regions. Lowering sleepiness can be beneficial, but little research has investigated how medications affect driving performance. States like Colorado or Louisiana don't have laws requiring narcoleptics to be identified when seeking driver's licenses, but in some other states, there are requirements for how long someone must be symptom free before being licensed to drive. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, when sleepiness is under good control, many people with narcolepsy are safe to drive. Details that the SSA may ask for include: Its also helpful to have a letter from your doctor outlining how your condition affects your ability to work. Narcolepsy can be considered both a physical and mental disability since it affects both the body and the mind. Genetics and biochemicalsNINDS-sponsored researchers are conducting studies devoted to further clarifying the wide range of geneticboth HLA genes and non-HLA genesand environmental factors that may cause narcolepsy. But you don't have to give up your driver's license or your freedom. The Narcolepsy 360 podcast can also offer guidance on everyday life with the condition from those who live with it. Take short naps. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Associate Editor, What's Working, The Huffington Post. Some state vehicle licensing agencies make it mandatory to report a condition that alters a persons ability to drive. People with narcolepsy may feel rested after waking, but then feel very sleepy throughout much of the day. Some life hacks you might have heard about aren't helpful. A greater understanding of the complex genetic and biochemical bases of narcolepsy will eventually lead to new therapies to control symptoms and may lead to a cure. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Narcolepsy: Safety Harvard Medical School, Facts Plus Statistics: Drowsy Driving Insurance Information Institute, Sleep and Sleep Disorders: Drowsy Driving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Narcolepsy and Driving Laws Narcolepsy Network, Driving Cessation and Health Outcomes in Older Adults Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Maintenance of Wakefulness Test American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Therapeutic Strategies for Mitigating Driving Risk in Patients With Narcolepsy Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, Narcolepsy Awareness: How To Get Involved, Books About Narcolepsy for Grown-Ups and Children. The National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke estimated in 2010 that one in every 2,000 people suffer from narcolepsy, a number that translates to more than 135,000 Americans. Most of the time I know when an attack is coming on, so if thats the case, I will pull over at a rest stop or, preferably, not even get behind the wheel, Scannell said. Because of this danger, laws are kept in place in almost all the countries, in a way or other, to grant a driving license. Impact of Narcolepsy on Patients Day to Day Life, Impact of Narcolepsy On The School Life of Children, Effectiveness and Safety of Adderall in Treating ADHD and Narcolepsy. Tissue from individuals with narcolepsy is needed to enable scientists to study this disorder more intensely. Additionally, support groups can be extremely beneficial for people with narcolepsy. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)All individuals with narcolepsy have EDS, and it is often the most obvious symptom. Joyce Scannell, an office manager at the Narcolepsy Network nonprofit who has had narcolepsy her whole life, says she never drives more than 20 minutes at a time. People with narcolepsy need to consider how they will manage day-to-day activities that are potentially hazardous, such as driving, operating heavy machinery, or even cooking. Some states require that the applicant should disclose that he had narcolepsy while other states did not have any such requirement2. There are two types of narcolepsy, each with different symptoms and treatments. Have you had to give up your drivers license? Some states require a doctor's letter stating that your narcolepsy is well-controlled. Some individuals may be safe driving around town for 30 minutes but not on a four-hour, boring highway drive. A more comprehensive understanding of the complex biology of sleep will give scientists a better understanding of the processes that underlie narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. - Epainassist Drowsy driving laws vary from state to state. Muscle weakness that occurs suddenly. Hypocretin levels are usually normal in people who have narcolepsy without cataplexy. A community of more than 8,000 members comes together to ask questions, give advice, and share their experiences of life with narcolepsy. Welcome Home A Bumbly Pillow Pet: The Perfect Gift For Your Child Or A Cozy Addition To Your Home! Automatic behaviorsIndividuals with narcolepsy may experience temporary sleep episodes that can be very brief, lasting no more than seconds at a time. We All Belong The State of Abortion. Before deciding to drive: When sleepiness is under good control, many people with narcolepsy are safe to drive. American Association of People with Disabilities, Americans with Disabilities Act: A Guide to Disability Rights Law, shrm.org/resourcesandtools/legal-and-compliance/employment-law/pages/court-report-worker-narcolepsy-disability-claim.aspx, cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability.html, ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/11.00-Neurological-Adult.htm, disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/narcolepsy, wakeupnarcolepsy.org/blog2013/narcolepsy-and-social-security-disability-benefits/, ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Narcolepsy-Fact-Sheet. Avoid long drives and areas of heavy traffic, Wake up to the day's most important news. WebCorrective lenses - All drivers must pass a vision test administered by DMV or must supply proof that they passed a vision test given by a qualified vision care professional. In a 2019 legal case regarding the termination of an employee in Alabama, the court explicitly stated that narcolepsy is a covered disability. Veteran ratings are based on a variety of factors, including the Veterans age and overall health, as well as the severity of their condition, the extent to which their life activities are limited by their condition, and the degree to which they limit their activities. This includes contacting your doctor or consultant, arranging a doctor for further investigation and/or may ask you to undergo a driving test. Most states ask you to voluntarily report any medical conditions that could affect your ability to drive when you apply for a driver's license. When you are a Veteran with narcolepsy, you should know your rights and seek the assistance you require to live a full and productive life. Additionally, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) manages the. Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Yes, but it may not be safe. Feedback | Credits | Disclosures | Disclaimers | Resources | Understanding Sleep. A clinical examination and detailed medical history are essential for diagnosis and treatment of narcolepsy. A variation in this gene, called HLA-DQB1*06:02, increases the chance of developing narcolepsy, particularly the type of narcolepsy with cataplexy and a loss of hypocretins (also known as orexins). Overall, people with narcolepsy are two to four times more likely to have a car accident than people who don't have this condition. If a persons narcolepsy causes frequent sleeping episodes, they may qualify under this criteria. As a result of narcolapsy, you may feel fatigued throughout the day and may experience a disrupted sleep-wake cycle. ", NHTSA: "Driver Fitness Medical Guidelines. They can help connect patients with new and upcoming treatment options. Drivers who have sleep apnea or narcolepsy with evidence that they may be at risk for daytime sleeping, must demonstrate Nearly 30% say they've had cataplexy while driving. Autoimmune disordersWhen cataplexy is present, the cause is most often the loss of brain cells that produce hypocretin. This means that employers are required to make reasonable accommodations to support you in performing your job duties. Narcolepsy is a lifelong problem, but it does not usually worsen as the person ages. those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease. Since Im medicated and can Worker with narcolepsy fails to show disability bias. However, it is important to note that these gene variations are common in the general population and only a small portion of the people with the HLA-DQB1*06:02 variation will develop narcolepsy. When a person becomes a narcotics driver, he or she must report whether they have ever taken medication for any condition that causes unconsciousness or unawareness. 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