7. Make Bedroom Conducive For Sleeping
When dealing with narcolepsy, it is important to make your bedroom conducive for sleeping. The room should be cool, quiet, and comfortable. It should also have a good ventilation system.
In addition to a comfortable mattress, pillows under the knees may be helpful. Blackout curtains can also help the patient get some sleep.
6. Keep Electronic Devices Outside The Bedroom
With electronic devices inside the bedroom, the patient is exposed to distractions. This could eventually be the cause of not getting enough sleep. Eliminating these electronic devices from the bedroom can lead to a better night’s sleep.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than eighty percent of adults use some form of technology before going to bed. That’s a lot of exposure to blue light, which can disrupt the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for controlling your body’s sleep cycle.
5. Avoid Heavy Meals
It’s recommended that narcolepsy patients avoid eating heavy meals before bedtime. This is because a large meal can be too taxing for the digestive tract. A light dinner can help the patient get better sleep.
Some foods that can help you get better sleep include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. These are excellent sources of magnesium, which promotes relaxation. They also contain vitamin B6, which can stimulate melatonin production. However, sugar-laden foods can keep the patient awake.
4. Avoid Alcohol
Drinking alcohol too close to bedtime can interfere with sleep. Drinking alcohol before bed can increase the risk of a sleep apnea episode. This is because alcohol is a sedative, which can cause the muscles of the throat and neck to relax.
When the muscles of the throat and neck relax, the airway collapses during sleep, causing sleep apnea. This can wake up the patient several times during the night. In addition, alcohol affects the circadian rhythm and can cause insomnia.
3. Exercise Daily
Regular exercise can help treat narcolepsy, as it improves alertness and energy levels. People who suffer from narcolepsy experience a lack of energy and memory lapses. They also tend to have fragmented sleep, which can make it difficult to stay awake.
Taking regular walks can be beneficial for patients who suffer from severe sleepiness. A study in Sleep Medicine found that people who regularly exercised had less daytime sleepiness.
2. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy For Narcolepsy (CBT-N)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for narcolepsy or CBT-N can help manage the symptoms of the disorder. CBT-N can be conducted in individual or group sessions with a trained professional. Behavioral techniques can improve the patient’s awareness of the disease and can promote better sleep.
CBT-N is a multimodal treatment approach that includes education about narcolepsy, behavior modification techniques, and structured sleep schedules. These treatments may be used in conjunction with antidepressants, stimulants, or other medications. The goal is to increase sleep quality and decrease occurrences of symptoms.
1. Medications
Some medications can help people with narcolepsy stay awake and alert during the day. It’s important to keep in mind that medication can have side effects. While many of these side effects are not serious, it’s still a good idea to contact your doctor if you have any questions.
Some narcolepsy medications are prescription drugs. Examples of these are sodium oxybate, modafinil, amodafonil, and methylphenidate.
Stimulants, such as pitolisant, methylphenidate, and dexamphetamine can help keep the patient awake. Aside from stimulants, amphetamines are also effective for people with narcolepsy. They are often prescribed in small doses.
Antidepressants are commonly used to treat cataplexy. Cataplexy is an involuntary loss of muscle tone in the arms and legs. Using antidepressants, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can reduce symptoms such as pain and muscle weakness.
These are some narcolepsy symptoms and treatments worth knowing about.