Narcolepsy

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• QHow can I cope with narcolepsy?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  If you've been diagnosed with narcolepsy, I'm going to ask you to make some changes.
  
  1. Tell the people who need to know. Your teachers. Your coworkers. Your boss. Explain your situation and your needs, and emphasize that you still aim to be a responsible fully accountable person. Most people understand, once they know what's going on, and will even be helpful.
  
  2. Schedule your day so you can take a 10- to 15-minute nap after breakfast and lunch. If you're at work or school, escape to a designated office, under a tree, or in your car (if it's in a safe spot).
  
  3. Eat light during the day. Switch to low carbohydrates, low fat meals. Vegetarian meals are great. Avoiding heavy, high-fat meals will help you stay alert. In the evening, eat your normal fare.
  
  4. Consider getting an assistance dog. An assistance dog can nudge you awake, especially if there's danger, and protect you if you have a cataplexy (sudden muscle tone loss) attack in public.
  
  5. Join a support group online. You may be surprised how many people experience the same types of situations you do, and have found tricks to avoiding them.
  
  6. Practice good ol' regular sleep habits. That means no caffeine, alcohol or exercise several hours before bed. But do get regular exercise. Don't smoke. Go to bed before 11 p.m., and at the same time each night. And make your sleeping environment dark, quiet, comfy and safe.
  
  Take on one thing at a time over the next three months. By the end of 90 days, you'll find these habits are a natural part of your life.

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• QHow is narcolepsy treated?

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  A NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered

  The treatment for narcolepsy usually involves taking medications to reduce sleepiness during the day and in those who have cataplexy, other medications to prevent cataplexy. The medications to prevent sleep during the day are a group of medicines called stimulants that includes Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, Provigil and others. Cataplexy is usually treated with antidepressant medications that repress REM (dreaming) sleep such as Tofranil, Norpramin, Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

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• QWhat are the signs of narcolepsy?

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  A Dr. Michael Breus, PhD , Psychology, answered

  What are the signs of narcolepsy?
  
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness is typically the first symptom of narcolepsy. It’s the overwhelming need to sleep when you prefer to be awake.
  
  • Narcolepsy is typically associated with a sudden weakness or paralysis often initiated by laughter or other intense feelings, sleep paralysis, an often frightening situation--where you are half awake yet cannot move--and intensely vivid and scary dreams occurring at the onset or end of sleep.
  
  • A narcoleptic may also experience “automatic behavior,” in which you perform routine or boring tasks but can’t remember doing so later.

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• QWhat is cataplexy?

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  A HealthyWomen answered

  Cataplexy is characterized by sudden episodes of loss of muscle function. These can range from slight weakness (such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles or an inability to speak clearly) to complete body collapse. Attacks are typically triggered by sudden emotional reactions such as laughter, anger or fear, and may last from a few seconds to several minutes. Cataplexy is seen almost exclusively in people with narcolepsy.

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• QDo people with narcolepsy sleep more than people without it?

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  A American Academy of Sleep Medicine answered

  When you add up the total hours of sleep time, people with narcolepsy don’t necessarily sleep any more than those without the sleep disorder. Many people with narcolepsy often have difficulty sleeping through the night because of unwanted awakenings.