Frequently falling asleep while sitting may indicate narcolepsy.

A patient in his thirties came to the clinic today. When I asked about his symptoms, he reported frequent drowsiness, a tendency to sleep excessively, leg weakness during moments of excitement, and facial trembling.

I inquired about when the drowsiness began and under what circumstances he would fall asleep. He explained that it started last year, and he could fall asleep within just over a minute while sitting on the sofa during the day. He also mentioned falling asleep even while conversing with others or when feeling fully alert. The episodes occurred frequently throughout the day. When asked about symptoms during laughter, he described his legs feeling as if they had lost support, like a marionette with cut strings. He experiences hallucinations when falling asleep, frequent nightmares, and remains aware of conversations even after dozing off. His sleep quality is notably poor. Additionally, the patient has a short temper and is easily agitated.

Based on his description, I diagnosed him with narcolepsy. For his condition, I advised him to manage his emotions and avoid outbursts of anger. I also recommended abstaining from alcohol. During the examination, his lipid profile and other indicators were elevated. I instructed him to lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight. Reducing food intake during the day and limiting sugar consumption can help alleviate daytime drowsiness.