How to know if you have narcolepsy and what to do about it

What is Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder of Narcolepsy, the National Sleep Foundation of sleep, in which the brain cannot control sleep and wakefulness.

The disease occurs very rarely - in one person out of 2,000-3,000, equally often in men and women. Narcolepsy develops during adolescence, but may go unnoticed for a long time. Sometimes it progresses quickly, over several weeks, and sometimes it takes years after the first signs before the symptoms become stable.

What are the symptoms of narcolepsy

The disease manifests itself differently in different people. Some signs are more pronounced and occur more often, others are weaker and very rare.

The main symptoms of Narcolepsy are:

Excessive daytime sleepiness. Usually, the disease begins with this symptom. A person constantly wants to sleep, he cannot concentrate.
Sleep attacks. The patient falls asleep anywhere and anytime. He may work or talk and then suddenly fall asleep for a few minutes or even half an hour. Sometimes a person continues to do something, such as writing or eating. When he wakes up, he will feel vigorous and refreshed, but then he will fall asleep again.
Poor night sleep. The patient often wakes up, he is tormented by realistic nightmares.
Loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). A person's muscles suddenly relax, which causes the lower jaw to drop, knees bend, he speaks indistinctly. In severe cases, he cannot move at all. Cataplexy is usually triggered by some kind of strong emotion, be it joy or anger, and lasts from a couple of seconds to a few minutes. If the patient has this symptom, they speak of type 1 narcolepsy; if not, it is type 2.
Sleep paralysis. The person cannot speak or move when falling asleep or waking up. This condition lasts for a few seconds or minutes and causes fear or anxiety. This symptom sometimes occurs in healthy people.
Hallucinations. They usually appear when falling asleep or waking up. More often than not, people think that there is a stranger in their bedroom.

See a neurologist if you notice any of these symptoms.

Where does narcolepsy come from?

The exact cause of this disease is still unknown.

However, in people with type 1 narcolepsy, the brain produces little hypocretin (also known as orexin), a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and wakefulness. Scientists Suggest The Trouble with Tribbles: Do Antibodies Against TRIB2 Cause Narcolepsy? that the deficiency occurs due to the attack of the immune system on the brain cells that synthesize this substance. However, in type 2 narcolepsy, the level of hypocretin does not decrease.

Researchers are considering other causes of the disease:

genetic predisposition to Narcolepsy;
brain injury;
Risk of narcolepsy in children and young people receiving AS03 adjuvanted pandemic A / H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine: retrospective analysis of AS03 for swine flu.

However, all these theories require confirmation.

Why is narcolepsy so dangerous?

Sometimes it leads to death: for example, if the patient falls asleep while driving. A person can cut or burn themselves in the kitchen or when using a saw or other tools.

Other difficulties also arise. Intense emotions can cause cataplexy, and in order not to provoke it, a person ceases to contact others.

In addition, people with narcolepsy are more likely to suffer from Depression, Weight Gain and Health Complications, depression and obesity.

How to treat narcolepsy

Contact a neurologist to determine the severity of the disease and write out recommendations.

1. Take medication

Narcolepsy cannot be completely eliminated, but Narcolepsy Fact Sheet symptoms can be controlled with these drugs.

Modafinil. It stimulates the nervous system, thereby relieving daytime sleepiness. The drug is practically non-addictive and gives a minimum of side effects such as headache or nausea.
Amphetamine-like stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine). They are prescribed if modafinil does not work. They have more negative consequences, such as mental disorders, and are more likely to cause addiction.
Antidepressants. They relieve symptoms such as cataplexy, hallucinations and sleep paralysis. These remedies are effective, but they have many side effects, such as impotence or obesity.
Sodium oxybate. It helps relieve muscle weakness, reduces daytime sleepiness and improves nighttime sleep. It must be consumed strictly on schedule and in no case should it be combined with alcohol.

2. Change your lifestyle

Doctors also recommend supplementing medication with good habits:

Take short (20-30 minutes) nap breaks during the day. Spread them evenly according to your schedule.
Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol 2-3 hours before bed.
Don't smoke, especially at night.
Exercise 20 minutes every day, four to five hours before bed.
Do not eat fatty or meaty foods before going to bed.
Prepare your bedroom - ventilate and darken it by turning off all lights and electrical appliances.
Relax before bed, such as taking a bath.
If you are taking medication, tell your doctor. Some medications, such as anti-allergy medications, can cause drowsiness and need to be replaced.