{"id":2355,"date":"2022-05-12T11:52:50","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T09:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/?p=2355"},"modified":"2022-06-04T15:15:32","modified_gmt":"2022-06-04T13:15:32","slug":"narcolepsy-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disturbmenot.co\/narcolepsy-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Narcolepsy Treatment\u2014Manage Your Symptoms Effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"
Narcolepsy is a chronic disease characterized by pronounced drowsiness during the day and an overall inability to remain awake. Patients will suddenly fall asleep regardless of their circumstances and environment.<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, the cure for this chronic disorder still hasn\u2019t been found, however, that doesn\u2019t mean there is no such thing as <\/span>narcolepsy treatment<\/span>. What\u2019s encouraging is that there are drugs and lifestyle changes that can help manage the symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The fifth edition of the <\/span>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders<\/span><\/i><\/a> (DSM-5) describes the different kinds of narcolepsy. These are categorized according to the <\/span>signs<\/b> and <\/span>underlying causes<\/b>, as well as the <\/span>associated symptoms<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Previously known as <\/span>narcolepsy without cataplexy<\/b>, this type is defined by an orexin deficiency and notable changes in a <\/span>patient\u2019s sleep phases<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cataplexy is associated with a partial or complete <\/span>loss of muscle control<\/b>, typically brought on by <\/span>strong emotion<\/b>. However, no episodes of cataplexy are observed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Treatment <\/span>for narcolepsy<\/span><\/a> without cataplexy<\/span> includes drugs like <\/span>Modafinil<\/b> or <\/span>Armodafinil.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to alterations in <\/span>REM<\/b>, cataplexy is characteristic of this type of disorder, as the name itself suggests. Meanwhile, the hypocretin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This type accounts for approximately <\/span>75% of all narcolepsy cases<\/span><\/a>. The only FDA-approved treatment for it is <\/span>sodium oxybate<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n This type is determined by <\/span>mutations of <\/b>oligodendrocytes<\/b><\/a> in the DNA<\/b>. These are glial cells involved in the formation of <\/span>myelin<\/b>, a substance that helps send nerve impulses. In these cases, there\u2019s also a low concentration of <\/span>hypocretin in the cerebrospinal fluid<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n In some cases, a <\/span>narcolepsy episode<\/span> could be a direct consequence of the presence of:<\/span><\/p>\n As we\u2019ve mentioned previously, there\u2019s <\/span>no cure<\/b> for narcolepsy. However, patients can manage their symptoms to an extent with certain <\/span>lifestyle changes<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Moreover, the symptoms can be treated with a variety of drugs. <\/span>Standard therapies for narcolepsy<\/span><\/a> include <\/span>stimulant medications<\/b> and <\/span>medications that alleviate other accompanying symptoms<\/b>, such as excessive daytime sleepiness and lack of alertness.<\/span><\/p>\n Medications alone usually aren\u2019t enough to treat the disorder, but should be combined with lifestyle changes.<\/span><\/p>\n To help protect themselves from excessive daytime sleeping, people affected by narcolepsy can sleep a little at regular intervals during the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The first step in this is creating better sleeping habits that include <\/span>eight hours <\/b>of sleep a night and naps during the day. It\u2019s also essential to build a <\/span>regular sleep regimen<\/b> for going to bed at night.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s advisable to <\/span>take two 15-minute naps<\/span><\/a> during the day. We have to emphasize, though, that this approach is still in the experimental phase. However, the results are promising.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Treating narcolepsy without medication<\/span> can also imply avoiding:<\/span><\/p>\n Also, be sure to:<\/span><\/p>\n Maintain a comfortably <\/span>cool environment <\/b>in your bedroom, so you don\u2019t wake up often at night.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you work at night and need to sleep during the day, consider investing in blackout or light-filtering curtains. A sleep mask or white noise machine may also be beneficial.<\/span><\/p>\n Your <\/span>circadian rhythm<\/b>, or sleep-wake cycle, may be affected by blue light. It\u2019s emitted by your:<\/span><\/p>\n It deceives your brain into believing it\u2019s daytime, causing your body to <\/span>produce less melatonin<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Narcolepsy treatment options<\/span> don\u2019t exclusively have to focus on the physical condition. Psychological help can be immensely beneficial: advising the <\/span>patient<\/b>, their <\/span>family<\/b>, and their <\/span>employer<\/b> on the best ways to improve their well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These suggestions should minimize any <\/span>emotional stress<\/b> the patient may be experiencing on a daily basis. Educational programs can also be helpful, especially in the form of <\/span>support groups<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n There are some notable drugs available on the market for narcolepsy. Most of the symptomatic treatments are used to control sleepiness and improve physical and cognitive performance. However, they all depend on the individual patient\u2019s symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Stimulant medications are known for their use in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder but are also effective in reducing drowsiness. Some of them are:<\/span><\/p>\n This medication was introduced recently by the <\/span>European Medicines Agency<\/span><\/a>. It belongs in the class of H3 blockers and it\u2019s administered in order to boost adult patients\u2019 wakefulness. The way it achieves that is by upping the brain\u2019s histamine levels.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Are the Main <\/b>Types of Narcolepsy<\/b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. <\/b>Narcolepsy Type 2<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. <\/b>Narcolepsy With Cataplexy<\/b><\/h3>\n
Other Types<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. Autosomal Dominant Narcolepsy Combined With Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes<\/b><\/h3>\n
2. Narcolepsy Secondary to Another Medical Condition<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Treatment for Narcolepsy<\/b><\/h2>\n
Narcolepsy<\/b> and <\/b>Natural Treatment<\/b><\/h2>\n
Sleep Schedule<\/b><\/h3>\n
Naps<\/b><\/h4>\n
Sleep Hygiene<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Sleep-Friendly Bedroom<\/b><\/h3>\n
Wise Use of Electronic Devices<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Psychological Help<\/b><\/h3>\n
Narcolepsy Treatment Drugs<\/b><\/h2>\n
Stimulants<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Pitolisant<\/b><\/h3>\n