Narcolepsy: The Sleeping Disease

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder where an individual uncontrollably falls asleep. This neurological disorder affects the part of the brain that controls sleep pattern, when it is time to sleep or time to be awake. Narcolepsy is often confused with insomnia or REM sleep disorders. A narcoleptic may fall asleep at random, while working, driving or during normal daily activities.

Symptoms of narcolepsy:

The most common symptom of narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness, even if you slept well the previous night. A person suffering from narcolepsy may fall asleep at inopportune times, and naps are uncontrollable and can last anywhere from 1 minute to 30 minutes. A narcoleptic may fall asleep during daily activities such as folding clothes and continue their actions. When they awaken, they may not remember completing the task.

About 25% to 50% of narcoleptics experience sleep paralysis which is the inability to move or even to talk upon awakening, they may have the same problem during the beginning of a sleep cycle, but this happens less often. These episodes usually are short lived, lasting only one to two minutes.This can be a really scary experience, but not life threatening.

Hallucinations may occur when a narcoleptic individual falls rapidly into REM sleep or when awakening. When experiencing these hallucinations, the person is actually semi-asleep and their dreams are exceptionally vivid and seem to be reality.

Treating Narcolepsy:

Treatment is based upon each individuals symptoms and may include, stimulates to help you tostay awake. Antidepressants, which suppress
REM sleep and help with hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Sodium oxybate which controls day time sleepiness, but this drug may cause severe side effects.

Lifestyle changes that will help narcolepsy:

Sleep on a schedule. Go to sleep at a certain time and wake up at a certain time. Take short naps during the day to offset daytime sleepiness. Don't smoke or drink alcohol, these substances may aggravate your symptoms. Finally, get plenty of exercise a few hours before going to bed, this may help you to sleep better.

There is no cure for narcolepsy, but with medication and simple lifestyle changes, you can control your symptoms to live a more normal and productive life.

sources:

http://www.mayoclinc.com

http://www.helpguide.org