What is Narcolepsy? How can you differentiate other sleep disorder?

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Narcolepsy is a brain disorder that causes a person to fall asleep at inappropriate times suddenly. This disorder can directly affect a person’s quality of life. It is the rarest condition and estimated affects 1 out of 2000 people. The symptoms of this condition usually begin between the age of 10 and 25 years.

In this disorder, the patient feels daytime drowsiness and sleep attacks. In a majority of the cases, it can cause an unexpected loss of muscle control which is known as cataplexy. Narcolepsy isn’t that deadly disease. However, episodes on wrong time can lead to injuries, severe accidents, and life-threatening situations.

Symptoms of Narcolepsy

The signs of Narcolepsy can complex to determine which the disease is patient experiencing.

Excessive daytime sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most common symptoms in Narcolepsy. It causes complexity and difficulties in performing tasks during the daytime.

Cataplexy

Cataplexy is a temporary and sudden loss of muscle tone. It usually happens when a patient is highly emotional. These emotions include excitement, laughter, anger, and fear. The frequency of cataplexy may vary patient to patient. Some patients experience in several times a day.

 Hallucination when falling asleep

Hallucination can also create problems in narcolepsy patient’s life. If patient dream while partially sleeping, he may assume that it is happening in reality.

Sleep paralysis

Inability to walk, move or speak while sleeping, or falling asleep. These episodes last for only moments. However, this process never affects the ability to rotate eyes, and respiratory system.

Causes of Narcolepsy

According to the research, the exact cause of Narcolepsy is unknown. However, some doctor assumes that in most of the people, Narcolepsy and cataplexy is caused by a deficiency of protein in the brain called hypocretin.

According to the research, there are several factors which can cause a deficiency of hypocretin.

However, some possible triggers of Narcolepsy include:

  • Hormonal changes
  • Psychological stress
  • Infection
  • Swine flu

What can you do for your condition?

Here are some easy steps you need to follow to make your life easier with Narcolepsy.

  • You need to tell your supervisor or teacher that you have a problem with your sleep. If you fall asleep while working, they should know why.
  • Try to take small naps after eating a meal
  • Narcolepsy treatments will cause you to test positive drug screens. You need to make trust in your supervisor, according to these tests.
  • Exercise every day; this will help you to fall asleep at night
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Researchers says that obsess people are more likely to feel Narcolepsy
  • Some states have declared it prohibited for the person who is experiencing Narcolepsy to drive vehicle. So make it sure from the department whether it’s legal or not.

Diagnosis of Narcolepsy

According to research, one in every 2,000 people in America experiences Narcolepsy. If you have daytime sleepiness or other sleep disorder, you need to talk to your doctor immediately. To diagnose Narcolepsy, your doctor can demand your previous medical history so he will be easy to perform the appropriate physical exam.

Treatments of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is not a fully curable disease. It’s a condition that can last a lifetime. The main thing is to control the symptoms of the disease and improve daytime functioning. You can use medication to increase sleep quality at night. You can buy Zopiclone tablets online to treat a sleep disorder. If you sleep well, it will decrease daytime naps.

You can also increase the bright light exposure in the daytime to decrease the daytime naps. To reduce narcolepsy effects, you shouldn’t use alcohol before going to bed.

There are other several medications used to treat Narcolepsy. For example, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs can help regulate sleep and improve your mood.

 

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