Treatment for Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by sudden and excessive daytime sleepiness in which a person can get to sleep at any time and anywhere without being able to help. It is, therefore, a disease with serious consequences for the daily life of the sufferer.
There is no cure for narcolepsy, treatment aims to control the symptoms that family life, social, occupational, or school of the patient.
Such treatment is individualized, depending on the severity of symptoms and patient characteristics, as well as symptoms of narcolepsy can vary from person to another, the response to medications varies.
Thus, fluid communication between doctor, patient and family about the response to treatment is necessary to achieve and maintain control of symptoms and to prevent or reduce side effects of it.
Control of sleep habits and drug consumption are two of the possibilities of narcolepsy patients used to combat symptoms. With respect to the first, experts say the need for good sleep hygiene, which is adequate sleep, avoiding the elements conducive to sleep, resting on surfaces or appropriate places, and allow sufficient time for adequate rest.
Also, avoid acts that promote pre-sleep insomnia, for example, eating large meals or let short time between dinner and sleep. If Planned naps and periods of sleep, can help regulate daytime sleep and reduce the amount of unexpected and sudden attacks of sleep.
Regarding the pharmacological aspect, the main treatment for excessive sleepiness are the central nervous system stimulants. For cataplexy and other symptoms related to REM sleep are prescribed antidepressants. Sometimes it requires a combination of these drugs. The aim is that the patient remain as alert as possible during the day and reduce recurrent episodes of cataplexy using a minimal amount of medication as these can cause contraindications that are harmful to the patient.