Learn how to cope with Narcolepsy without seeing doctors! by Ebe Heng

Narcolepsy is a malfunction of the sleep/wake regulating

system in the brain which until recently was of unknown

origin. Its most common manifestation is Excessive Daytime

Sleepiness and sleep attacks.

Symptoms of Narcolepsy includes:

a. Temporary paralysis on falling asleep or awakening (sleep

paralysis).

b. Hallucinations - vivid images or sounds - on falling

asleep or awakening (Hypnagogic and hypnopompic

hallucinations respectively).

c. Moments (but sometimes extended periods) of trance-like

behaviour in which routine activities are continued on

"auto-pilot" (Automatic behaviour).

d. Interruption of night-time sleep by frequent waking

periods, marked by quickening of the heart rate, over-

alertness, hot flushes, agitation, and an intense craving

for sweets.

Is there any treatment?

There is no cure for narcolepsy, but the symptoms can

be controlled with behavioral and medical therapy. The

excessive daytime sleepiness may be treated with stimulant

drugs or with the drug modafinil. Cataplexy and

other REM-sleep symptoms may be treated with antidepressant

medications.

Medications will only reduce the symptoms, but will not

alleviate them entirely. Also, many currently

available medications have side effects. Basic lifestyle

adjustments such as regulating sleep schedules, scheduled

daytime naps and avoiding "over-stimulating" situations may

also help to reduce the intrusion of symptoms into daytime

activities.

Drug Therapy

Stimulants are the mainstay of drug therapy for excessive

daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks in narcolepsy patients.

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BIO:

How important is a good night sleep worth to you? Ebe Heng
has co-created the ultimate, informative and useful sleep
dirctories for anyone with any sleep related problems. Rid
that insomnia bug and get the sleep that you deserved!
Check out=> http://www.1-2-sleep.com

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