Treatment for Narcolepsy

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Even though Narcolepsy sufferers will more than likely be placed on some form of medication by their doctor, there are also some helpful tips that can aid and hopefully ease the effects of the disorder.

Napping & Narcolepsy

Trying to establish a sleep/napping schedule can help reduce the number of attacks. It is sometimes recommended that you have two fifteen minute naps throughout the course of the day (possibly after meals) and then a scheduled nighttime sleep. Mild sufferers of the disorder may find that this alone will help increase concentration levels and help them to feel more refreshed. This may be different for sufferer’s who respond well to medication.

Relax before you Sleep

Take a bath, read, meditate. All relaxing activities could help you enter into sleep more easily and reduce the disruptiveness you may normally experience.

Bedroom just for Sleeping

Make sure you use your bedroom only for sleeping, de-clutter it of electrical equipment and so forth as this may only activate your mind more and make it less easy for you to enter into sleep.

Eating & Narcolepsy

Avoiding heavy meals during the day may help reduce the risk of drowsiness as they are thought to set-off attacks. It is perhaps more important to avoid heavy eating should you know you will be driving or in a potentially dangerous situation as they could bring on an attack.

Exercise & Narcolepsy

Regular exercise is thought to help cope with narcolepsy but is recommended during the day, not directly before bedtime.

Stimulants & Narcolepsy

Try to avoid any food/drink with caffeine in them, or alcohol, tobacco (stimulants) before you sleep as these are known to keep people awake and may prevent you from sleeping.

Work & Narcolepsy

Explain to your employer your condition and try to come to an agreement of designated nap times; you may only need the one short nap after your dinner.

Children & Narcolepsy

If your child is diagnosed with having Narcolepsy, it is important that you inform school teachers, and they can help with nap sessions, medication and psychological worry that your child may have with the condition and their classmates.

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