A Sleepy Smoker Can Cause Fire

It is can be unsafe to use nicotine by those suffering from narcolepsy as they fall asleep suddenly. Since they are at a risk of falling asleep while reading, driving or eating, they can burn themselves or cause a fire in case they smoke. Excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy can also make it difficult to quit the habit of nicotine use. This was revealed in a presented at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS)

The study, authored by Lois Krahn, MD, of the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona observed that in the study, which is community based 62.5 per cent of narcolepsy patients were present or past smokers. On completion of seventeen questionnaires, it was observed that 47 percent of respondents were using nicotine in the present or the past. All users felt that nicotine decreased sleepiness. About 37 percent of the respondent fell asleep while smoking. Around 25 per cent smoked in bed. Nearly 75 per cent cases of burns were reported which involved furniture, carpet and clothing. One respondent caused a fire. Most of them tried to quit smoking, but found it difficult to do so. Sleepiness became worse with reduced nicotine use.

Narcolepsy means uncontrollable sleep. It is sleep disorder. It also involves dreaming while awake. Other symptoms are hallucinations, cataplexy and paralysis. A smoker suffering from narcolepsy can be a threat to others safety as well as his or her own.

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