Project Sleep is thrilled to share that Congress recognized World Narcolepsy Day with this statement from Congressman Adam Schiff in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, Sept. 20th, in advance of the inaugural World Narcolepsy Day on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019.
Congress Recognizes World Narcolepsy Day – September 22nd
RECOGNIZING WORLD NARCOLEPSY DAY
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HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF of California in the House of Representatives
Friday, September 20, 2019
Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of World Narcolepsy Day, which will be observed globally on September 22nd.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition that affects about 1 in 2,000 people by impairing the brain’s ability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. Symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive sleepiness during the day, sudden episodes of muscle paralysis, sleep paralysis, confusing hallucinations, and a disrupted nighttime sleep.
Due to an overall lack of public and professional awareness, accurate diagnosis of narcolepsy commonly takes between 8 and 15 years.
Experts believe that the majority of people with narcolepsy are currently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions such as epilepsy, depression, and schizophrenia. More work is needed to deliver breakthroughs for patients impacted by this debilitating sleep disorder, and we must continue to support the important funding of medical research through the National Institutes of Health and public health programs through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
World Narcolepsy Day serves to raise awareness of the experiences and healthcare needs of the approximately 3 million people living with narcolepsy across the globe, including the 200,000 people with narcolepsy and their loved ones in the United States. By raising awareness of narcolepsy, we can reduce delays in diagnosis, combat stigma and misperceptions, and improve health outcomes for affected individuals.
I ask all Members to join me in recognizing September 22nd as World Narcolepsy Day.
Narcolepsy Awareness In the Air
From the U.S. Capitol to various other places and spaces around the world, together we have raised so much narcolepsy awareness these past few weeks. We can’t wait to continue reporting back to you on all the ways your efforts made an impact.
Thank You
Share this news to show that we are gaining important recognition for narcolepsy. Special thanks to Congressman Schiff and his staff for being incredible champions for all those living with narcolepsy and other overlooked and misunderstood sleep-related conditions.
