Have you ever felt so fatigued during the day that you just had to pull off the highway and take a quick nap? That daytime fatigue was possibly the result of working late, lack of sleeping properly and/or stress that interrupts quality sleep.

Once you get a little rest, you're fine.However for people with narcolepsy, you can fall asleep during the day with no warning. Even though you get plenty of sleep at night, you continue to go to sleep during daylight hours.

No matter how you attempt to battle it or how many triple shot lattes you drink, you can't compel yourself to keep awake.Prior to being diagnosed with narcolepsy, you were probably the subject of jokes and criticism.

You aren't lazy and you aren't faking. This is known as a very authentic medical disorder. If ever the condition gets worse, it could actually interfere with your job, driving, social life and severely limit your normal activities.

Customary indications of narcolepsy are:

- Falling asleep several times throughout your day, even though you had an adequate amount of sleep at night.

- You all of a sudden feel as if your legs will not hold you up. The feeling is one of tiredness - not fainting - and you are aware of the weakness that overcomes you.

- You just can't avoid falling fast asleep even though you're doing things you get pleasure from like spending time with family and friends, participating in a sport, enjoying a hobby or attending a special event which you really looked forward to going to.

Over 200,000 people in the United States alone have been diagnosed with narcolepsy and that's likely a far smaller number than those who are affected and don't know what the problem is.

Narcolepsy occurs in the same way in both males and females, usually starting in adolescence. Although there isn't any medical proof that narcolepsy is genetic, narcolepsy seems to occur in families with 8-12% having at least one close family member with this condition.

The best way to find out if you have narcolepsy is with a sleep study and a polysomnogram. These are medical assessments which are diagnosed by a doctor who makes a speciality of sleep disorders.

If you're diagnosed with narcolepsy, you could possibly be given prescription medication. You can also help yourself through making lifestyle changes, such as avoiding stressful activities and/or working too late prior to going to bed.

Explain your condition and warning signs to family, friends and superior at work. You need people close to you to realise that your daytime sleepiness is not laziness, avoidance or lack of enthusiasm but a medical problem which requires attention.