How do you know that you have narcolepsy, and what to do

If the day you want to sleep all the time, perhaps this is a reason to visit a neurologist.

What is narcolepsy

Narcolepsy - a neurological disorderNarcolepsy, National Sleep Foundation sleep in which the brain can not control sleep and wakefulness.

The disease occurs very rarelyNarcolepsy, National Sleep Foundation - one person out of 2 000-3 000, with equal frequency in men and women. Narcolepsy is developing in adolescence, but a long time can remain unnoticed. sometimes it It progresses quickly, in a few weeks, and sometimes years pass after the first symptoms before the symptoms become stable.

What are the symptoms of narcolepsy

Different people have the disease manifests itself differently. Some symptoms are more pronounced, and occur more frequently, others - weaker and very rare.

The main symptomsNarcolepsy are as follows:

• excessive daytime drowsiness. The disease usually begins with this feature. Man always want to sleep, he could not concentrate.
• Bouts of sleep. The patient falls asleep anywhere and anytime. It can work or talk, and then suddenly fall asleep for a few minutes or even half an hour. Sometimes a person continues to do something, such as to write or eat. Waking up, he feels fit and fresh, but then again slumber.
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• A bad night's sleep. The patient often wakes up, he is tortured realistic nightmares.
• Loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). The man suddenly relax the muscles, which is why the lower jaw droops, podgibayutsya his knees, he said vaguely. In severe cases, there can not move. Cataplexy is usually run some strong emotion, whether joy or anger, and extends from a couple of seconds to several minutes. If a patient has this symptom suggests narcolepsy type 1 - if not, it is the 2nd type.
• Sleep paralysis. One can not speak or move when falling asleep or waking up. This state lasts a few seconds or minutes and causes fear or anxiety. This symptom sometimes occurs in healthy people.
• Hallucinations. They usually appear when falling asleep or waking up. Most often, people think that in their bedroom there is a stranger.

Refer to a neurologist if you notice any of these symptoms.

Where does narcolepsy

The exact cause of this disease is still unknown.

In this case, people with narcolepsy type 1 brain produces enough hypocretin (also known as orexin) - a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and wakefulness. scientists suspectThe Trouble with Tribbles: Do Antibodies Against TRIB2 Cause Narcolepsy?That the deficit arises from the attack the immune system on brain cells that synthesize a substance. However, when narcolepsy 2nd type hypocretin level is not reduced.

The researchers considered other causes of illness:

• genetic predispositionNarcolepsy;
• brain injury;
• vaccineRisk of narcolepsy in children and young people receiving AS03 adjuvanted pandemic A / H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine: retrospective analysis AS03 from swine flu.

However, these theories require confirmation.

Why narcolepsy so dangerous

Sometimes it leads to death: for example, if the patient falls asleep at the wheel. Human can cut oneself or burned in the kitchen or working with a saw and other tools.

There are other difficulties. Intense emotions can cause cataplexy, and not to provoke her, a person ceases to communicate with others.

In addition, people with narcolepsy often sufferDepression, Weight Gain and Health Complications depression and obesity.

How to treat narcolepsy

Refer to the neurologist, that he determined the severity of the disease and issued recommendations.

1. Take medication

From narcolepsy can not completely get rid of, but with the help of these drugs can be controlledNarcolepsy Fact Sheet symptoms.

• Modafinil. It stimulates the nervous system, so relieves daytime sleepiness. The drug is hardly addictive and gives a minimum of side effects such as headache or nausea.
• Amphetamine-like stimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine). They are prescribed when modafinil is not valid. They have more negative consequences such mental disordersAnd they are more likely to cause dependence.
• Antidepressants. They relieve symptoms such as cataplexy, hallucinations and sleep paralysis. These are effective, but they have many side effects, such as impotence or obese.
• Sodium oxybate. It helps to get rid of muscle weakness, reduces daytime sleepiness and improves night's sleep. It needs to be used strictly according to schedule and in any case can not be combined with alcohol.

2. Unlive

Doctors also recommend complementary medication useful habits:

• Take short (20-30 minutes) daily breaks for sleep. Evenly distribute them in accordance with its schedule.
• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Do not drink caffeine or alcohol 2-3 hours before bedtime.
• Do not smoke, especially at night.
• Engage in physical activity every day for 20 minutes, four to five hours before bedtime.
• Do not eat fat or meat meal before going to bed.
• Prepare your bedroom - ventilate it and darken, turning off all the lights and electrical appliances.
• Relax before going to bed, take a bath for example.
• If you are taking medication, tell your doctor. Some medications, such as allergy medications can cause drowsiness and should be replaced.