Narcolepsy treatments – Part 5

Narcolepsy is an inability to control suddenly falling asleep. Treatments for narcolepsy are not for cures but are for alleviation of symptoms. A person afflicted with this diseased sleep process is unable to control their sudden

attacks of day time sleep. They are apt to fall asleep anywhere, anytime, while at work or while talking with friends.

Normal sleep begins with non-rapid-eye-movements as the brain waves gradually slow

down for the first hour or so. Then REM (rapid-eye-movements) begins and the brain

speeds up its activity and dreaming takes place. In narcolepsy sleep is shortchanged: the non-rapid-eye-movement phase is eliminated, and immediately the REM phase begins.

So, scientists believe there is an absence or an imbalance in the brain chemicals that regulate sleep patterns. One in particular, hypocretin, that gets you up in the

mornning and keeps you awake during the day is lowered in narcolepsy patients and in

some absent. This is normally found in spinal fluid, but is absent or lower in these

patients.

In addition to this fact possibly leading to a diagnostic test for narcolepsy (to rule out some other sleep disorder, apnea, as one example) present research is looking toward finding an abnormal gene. Narcoplepsy shows no favortism toward men, women, race or ethnic groups, but do seem to have an affinity for countries. In the United States 1 in 2,000 are afflicted; in Israel 1 in 500,000, in Japan, 1 in 600 people.

There is much work going on in the field of sleep and in particular how to diagnose

and how to deal with narcolepsy. Sleep specialist have now set up shop and are

studying and evaluating normal and abnormal sleep patterns. Questionaires,

polysomnograms, (electrodes place on scalps during sleep and measuring brain activity are popular means of evaluating and helping patients cope with this disability.

Medicines are available if the physician in charge thinks this is advisable but most

of what’s available have side effects and are addictive. Stimulents, such as modafinil, the newest, (Provigil) supposedly is less addictive and causes no highs and lows; Methylphenidate (Ritalin) or several amphetamines are being used but have serious side effects such as nervousness and palpitations and are addictive.

Another medication, Sodium Oxybate (Xyrem) give to control catalepsy, an often time

associative condition with narcolepsy. With this condition there are noticeable

physical changes such as slurred speech, muscle relaxation and sometimes a falling

down. This medication is given to improve night time sleep but often improves

drowsines during day.

Problems with it however are often serious side effects such as sleep apnea,

sleep waling, and bedwetting. It is such a contradictory drug that it is strickly

regulated by the FDA. (Food and Drug Administration)

There are likewise self-care recommendations:

1.rigid sleep schedule.

2.short napping during day 3.no nicotine and no alchohl 4.regular exercise

Source:

www.mayoclinic.com/health/narc olepsy