Medication
Natural cures for narcolepsy include:
- Guarana, which is a natural stimulant
- Cayenne pepper
- Ginkgo biloba, which increases blood flow to the brain
- Ephedra, which increases energy levels
- Gotu kola, which reduces fatigue
- Rosemary tea
- B complex vitamins, which are important in the sleep-wake cycle
- Eating complex carbohydrates and vegetables
- Avoiding eating simple carbs and sugars
Nutrition
There is no cure for narcolepsy, but medications and lifestyle modifications can help you manage the symptoms. Medications for narcolepsy include: Stimulants. Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system are the primary treatment to help people with narcolepsy stay awake during the day.
What are the natural remedies for narcolepsy?
What to Eat
- Follow a heart-healthy diet. Narcolepsy increases your risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. ...
- Try a low-carb diet. When you eat a big, high-carb meal, your body makes less of the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates wakefulness.
- Consider a keto diet. ...
- Try caffeine. ...
- Avoid alcohol. ...
Will there ever be a cure for narcolepsy?
There's no specific cure for narcolepsy, but you can manage the symptoms and minimise their impact on your daily life. Making some simple changes to your sleeping habits can sometimes help. If your symptoms are more severe, you'll usually need to take medicine.
What is a good diet for someone with narcolepsy?
Can you cure narcolepsy?
What do doctors prescribe for narcolepsy?
Stimulants. If necessary, a GP or specialist may prescribe a type of medicine known as a stimulant, such as modafinil, dexamphetamine, methylphenidate or pitolisant. These medicines stimulate your central nervous system, which can help keep you awake during the day. They're usually taken as tablets every morning.
How do psychologists treat narcolepsy?
The treatment of choice for narcolepsy consists of prescribing stimulants to control EDS and antidepressants to treat parasomnias and associated cataplexy. Drug therapy has been highly recommended and supported by well-designed research that shows its effectiveness.
What are the 5 signs of narcolepsy?
There are 5 main symptoms of narcolepsy, referred to by the acronym CHESS (Cataplexy, Hallucinations, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Sleep paralysis, Sleep disruption). While all patients with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness, they may not experience all 5 symptoms.
What is the main cause of narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is often caused by a lack of the brain chemical hypocretin (also known as orexin), which regulates wakefulness. The lack of hypocretin is thought to be caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the cells that produce it or the receptors that allow it to work.
Can emotional trauma cause narcolepsy?
Central nervous system disorders such as tumors and vascular legions involving the hypothalamus can cause secondary narcolepsy. In addition, brain trauma can contribute to post-traumatic narcolepsy despite lack of any definite brain lesion.
Are there levels of narcolepsy?
There are two main types of narcolepsy: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 narcolepsy used to be known as “narcolepsy with cataplexy.” Type 2 used to be called “narcolepsy withoutcataplexy.” In very rare cases, a person may develop another type of narcolepsy known as secondary narcolepsy.
What is Type 2 narcolepsy?
Type 2 narcolepsy (previously termed narcolepsy without cataplexy). People with this condition experience excessive daytime sleepiness but usually do not have muscle weakness triggered by emotions. They usually also have less severe symptoms and have normal levels of the brain hormone hypocretin.
What are the warning signs of narcolepsy?
SymptomsExcessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy fall asleep without warning, anywhere, anytime. ... Sudden loss of muscle tone. ... Sleep paralysis. ... Changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. ... Hallucinations.
Does caffeine help narcolepsy?
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a small dose of caffeine has positive effects on alertness in patients with narcolepsy.
What can narcolepsy be mistaken for?
Narcolepsy is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that can have similar symptoms, including:Depression.Anxiety.Other psychologic/psychiatric disorders.Insomnia.Obstructive sleep apnea.
Does narcolepsy get worse as you age?
Whatever the age of onset, patients find that the symptoms tend to get worse over the two to three decades after the first symptoms appear. Many older patients find that some daytime symptoms decrease in severity after age 60.
Does Covid make narcolepsy worse?
In concluding, the authors wrote that the greatest takeaway of this review for sleep medicine clinicians and researchers is to consider COVID-19 infection as a possible triggering event leading to narcolepsy.
How to treat narcolepsy?
Treatment for narcolepsy can be broken down into two categories: 1 Behavioral approaches employ changes in lifestyle and daily habits to manage symptoms and reduce the likelihood of other physical and emotional challenges that often affect people with narcolepsy. 2 Medications can be prescribed to address symptoms. The use of medications is known as pharmacotherapy.
How many medications do you need to treat narcolepsy?
To treat narcolepsy, doctors usually start with one drug to see how well it works for a specific patient. The dosage or timing of doses may be changed as needed, or the doctor may recommend switching medications if the first is not working or well-tolerated.
What is the name of the disorder where you fall asleep involuntarily?
Narcolepsy is a disorder in which the sleep-wake cycle is significantly altered 1. Its central symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which may involve falling asleep involuntarily, even while eating or driving. People with narcolepsy face safety risks including a three- to four-fold increase 2 in their chances of being in an automobile ...
How to sleep better with narcolepsy?
Practical tips to improve sleep routines for people with narcolepsy include: Keep a consistent bedtime and wake time: A stable sleep schedule can ensure that enough time is budgeted for rest and helps habituate the body to sleeping at set times, including at night.
Why is it important to eat healthy when you have narcolepsy?
Eating a healthy diet is important for everyone, but it takes on added importance for people with narcolepsy because they have an elevated risk of obesity. The timing of meals is important as well. Eating too late at night may interfere with normal digestion and is associated with sleep disruptions 8.
What is the symptom of narcolepsy?
There are two types of narcolepsy 3. Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) frequently involves a symptom called cataplexy, which is a sudden and brief loss of muscle tone in which the individual is conscious. It is triggered by strong emotions, usually positive ones like laughter.
What is behavioral approach in narcolepsy?
Behavioral approaches employ changes in lifestyle and daily habits to manage symptoms and reduce the likelihood of other physical and emotional challenges that often affect people with narcolepsy. Medications can be prescribed to address symptoms. The use of medications is known as pharmacotherapy.
What is the best treatment for narcolepsy?
Central nervous system stimulants are the main treatments used for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy, and these stimulants include Amphetamine, Methylphenidate, Modafinil, Dextroamphetamine and Armodafinil.
Is it hard to control narcolepsy?
It’s extremely difficult to fully control the symptoms of narcolepsy, and medication adjustments are often necessary . Lifestyle changes are also very important for people suffering from narcolepsy, with oral medications being the mainstay of treatment.
Is narcolepsy a depression?
As mentioned previously, narcolepsy can be confused with depression, and it’s true that there is a link between these two disorders. The co-occurrence of depression in narcolepsy patients has produced mixed results, though, with different studies producing numbers anywhere between 6% and 50%. Author. Recent Posts.
Can narcolepsy be cured?
Although people suffering from narcolepsy can’t be cured, they can be helped. Treatment for this disorder is tailored to each individual and is based on the person’s symptoms and therapeutic response. It could well take months, or even longer, to achieve effective control of symptoms.
Is narcolepsy a neurological disorder?
Narcolepsy can be described as a neurological condition involving a person’s reduced ability to manage the sleep-wake cycle. Although people suffering from narcolepsy can’t be ...
Is narcolepsy more common than fibrosis?
In fact, narcolepsy is as prevalent as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, and more common than Cystic Fibrosis, but unfortunately it’s just not as well known. The reason for this is that narcolepsy can often be confused with epilepsy, depression, or the side-effect of medications.
Can narcolepsy run in families?
The symptoms of narcolepsy are generally first noticed in young adults or teenagers, but narcolepsy can occur in both women and men at any age. In fact, there’s strong evidence that narcolepsy could run in families, because approximately 10% of people diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy already have a close family member with this neurological disorder. As mentioned previously, narcolepsy can be confused with depression, and it’s true that there is a link between these two disorders. The co-occurrence of depression in narcolepsy patients has produced mixed results, though, with different studies producing numbers anywhere between 6% and 50%.
What are the best medications for narcolepsy?
Drugs that act as stimulants and/or reduce the other symptoms of narcolepsy are standard treatments for the condition. They include: Armodafinil ( Nuvigil ): This drug is similar to Provigil. It is also used to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness. Headache and nausea are the most common side effects. Methylphenidate Hcl ( Daytrana, Ritalin ...
How to help narcolepsy stay awake?
It has proven effective in helping patients stay awake for longer periods of time. Home Remedies for Narcolepsy. There are several things you can do at home to help improve the symptoms of narcolepsy and include the following: Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Can narcolepsy be taken one day a week?
Therefore, some doctors advise people with narcolepsy to abstain from taking it one day each week (typically on a weekend).
What are the symptoms of narcolepsy?
The symptoms of narcolepsy can have notable effects during both daytime and night time. The most common symptoms include: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS): EDS is the cardinal symptom of narcolepsy, affecting all people with the disorder. EDS involves an urge to sleep that can feel irresistible, and it arises most frequently in monotonous ...
What is narcolepsy sleep disorder?
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that is often misunderstood. It is characterized by severe and persistent daytime sleepiness that can cause impairments in school, work, and social settings as well as heighten the risk of serious accidents and injuries.
How long does cataplexy last?
Cataplexy normally affects both sides of the body and lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes. Some people with NT1 only have episodes of cataplexy a few times per year, while others can have a dozen or more episodes per day. Although all people with narcolepsy have EDS, less than a quarter have all of these symptoms.
How rare is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is relatively rare. NT1 affects between 20 and 67 people per 100,000 in the United States. According to a population based study in Olmstead county Minnesota, NT1 is two to three times more common 4 than NT2, which is estimated to affect between 20 to 67 people per 100,000.
How long does narcolepsy go undiagnosed?
Because it is rare and symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to other causes, narcolepsy can go undiagnosed for many years. The diagnostic process starts with a review of symptoms and medical history.
How long does it take for a person to sleep after falling asleep?
Normal sleep unfolds through a series of stages, with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurring in the final stage, usually an hour or more after falling asleep. In narcolepsy, REM sleep is irregular and often begins within minutes after falling asleep, which is much earlier than normal.
Is narcolepsy a health issue?
The symptoms of narcolepsy can have significant consequences for a patient’s health and wellness. Accidents are a pressing concern as sleep attacks, drowsiness, and cataplexy can be life-threatening when driving or in other environments where safety is critical.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is caused by a neurological condition that disrupts your ability to control the natural sleep-wake cycle. This often results in uncontrollable periods of sleep and wakefulness, causing excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).
Symptoms, signs, and side effects of narcolepsy
Narcolepsy symptoms almost always include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). This type of sleepiness can come in the form of an inability to concentrate, a feeling of brain fog, memory problems, exhaustion, or depression. 1
Types of narcolepsy
Narcolepsy can be categorized into two main types. They are differentiated as narcolepsy with cataplexy (Type 1) and narcolepsy without cataplexy (Type 2). 3
Narcolepsy causes
The exact causes of narcolepsy are still not entirely understood. There are several factors that are known to contribute to the onset of this condition, such as having low levels of hypocretin.
Drugs used to treat Narcolepsy
The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Your doctor may make a preliminary diagnosis of narcolepsy based on your excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). After an initial diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist for further evaluation. Formal diagnosis requires staying overnigh…