Causes and treatment
Causes of narcolepsy are still not fully understood. With many patients suffering under narcolepsy smaller amounts of hypocretin (orexin) in their brain- and spine-fluid have been determined. Thus, medics assume that due to an autoimmune disease the cells responsible for hypocretin-production become destroyed. Hypocretin is a sleep-wake-rhythm and eating-behavior influencing hormone.
Diagnosis:
When suspecting having narcolepsy consult a specialist. For diagnosis, neurologists and sleep medics use sleep questionnaires and sleep diaries as well as specific examinations in a sleep laboratory.
Treatment:
Most of the time, the treatment of narcolepsy consists as well of a drug- as a non-drug-therapy. The doctor prescribes drugs that need to be taken long-term. Here, regular control visits at your doctor are important.
Sleep hygiene is important in the non-drug therapy. Sleep hygiene consists of lifestyle and behaviors supporting healthy sleep. These include:
- Regular sleep-wake-cycle
- Make a schedule to avoid injuries and accidents. For example cook, when the probability to stay awake is highest.
- One or two naps during the day when feeling tired.
- To avoid misunderstandings or conflicts inform family and friends about your narcolepsy. Often, the disease is misinterpreted and many assume that people concerned or just lazy or suffer under depressions.
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