Narcolepsy Treatment.

Although there is no one shot cure for narcolepsy a combination approach can reduce the symptoms.

Treatment for narcolepsy has a three prong approach, a combination of lifestyle changes, schedules naps and drug treatment can help to control narcolepsy.

Whilst other drug treatments can also be taken to help deal with the secondary symptoms of narcolepsy like catalexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.

Medications for Narcolepsy

Stimulants are the most widely used drugs for excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep attacks in narcolepsy. These include methylphenidate (Ritalin®), modafinil, dextroamphetamine, and pemoline.

Like most medications, medications for narcolepsy do have some side effects and the full effects of these drugs should be fully discussed with your doctor. But the major side effects of most stimulants are irritability, anxiety, quickened heart rate, hypertension.

Drug treatment for narcolepsy will only treat the symptoms and will effect a cure in themselves.

A full cure for narcolepsy is yet to be found.

Lifestyle Changes.

The lifestyle changes which are recommended for sufferers of narcolepsy are very similar to those recommended for insomnia, the idea is that if you can better regulate your normal sleep pattern and then supplement that with a couple of naps during the day, the effects of narcolepsy can be greatly reduced.

Some lifestyle changes may include....

Avoid stimulants. Cutting stimulants out in the later part of the day will undoubtedly help your sleep and the quality of your sleep. Avoid Try to avoid things like chocolate, caffeinated sodas, and caffeinated teas, coffee.
Don't go to bed hungry. Have a light snack a while before you go to bed so that you are not hungry, but try to avoid a big heavy meal
Exercise. Include some exercise in your daily routine, but avoid exercise before bed. But if you lead a life which includes a lot of sitting down and not much movement, including some good exercise in the day will help with your sleep.
If you are not comfortable in your bed try adjusting the height of the pillows or even replacing your bed. Comfort has a lot to do with good restfull sleep.
Avoid watching TV in bed. Even reading in bed can be a problem if the material is very stimulation. But if you find that reading in bed helps you to sleep be sure you use a very small wattage bulb to read.
Keep routines and regular bed times. A cup of herbal tea an hour before bed can begin a routine

Medications for the secondary symptoms of narcolepsy.

Cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis are usually treated with antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Drugs such as imipramine or chlorimimipramine, are the most widely prescribed medications for the three subsymptoms of narcolepsy.

A cure for narcolepsy is probably still some time away but there are effective treatments which can reduce the symptoms and allow sufferers of narcolepsy to life a near normal life.