Narcolepsy Diagnosis, Test Treatment and Prevention

Narcolepsy is occurred in between the age group of 11 to 26. The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown. Almost 75% of patients with narcolepsy reported falling asleep while driving in one survey and 56% reported near accidents. Narcolepsy is a lifelong condition, but by implementing certain lifestyle changes and seeking medical help, narcoleptics can improve alertness and enjoy a full and active life. This also contains the various risk factors like as effects on mental functioning, physical problems and so on. Symptoms of narcolepsy

• Inability to use muscles
• Sleep paralysis
• Persistent drowsiness
• Physical illness
• Sleep attacks
• Awake and refreshed feeling after each episode
• Difficulty for a young adult to stay awake during classes or work
• Daytime napping

Diagnosis of narcolepsy

A narcolepsy diagnosis requires several tests. If you are experiencing symptoms of narcolepsy, talk to your doctor.

• Blood tests determines the presence of narcolepsy-related genes, or medical illnesses associated with excessive sleepiness.
• To determine specific sleep disorders, the doctor will take a medical and family history and should be told of any medications being taken.
• Two tests that are considered essential in confirming a diagnosis of narcolepsy are the polysomnogram (PSG) and the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). Both tests are performed in a sleep lab.
• By taking multiple sleep latency test we can diagnosis the narcolepsy.
• The patient has been withdrawn from these medications within the last three weeks.
• Cataplexy (abrupt loss of muscle tone or weakness that causes a person to stop all motor activity).
• Diagnosis of narcolepsy can take a very long time, sometimes more than one year, or even up to several decades.
• For this ECG may be preferred for the diagnosis which measures the heart's electrical activity.

Treatment for narcolepsy

• With the help of antidepressants medications are may be used treat narcolepsy.
• Eating light or vegetarian meals during the day and avoiding heavy meals prior to important activities may help reduce the odds of an attack after daytime meals.
• Ritalin helps to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness and improves alertness. Side effects include headache, irritability, nervousness, and gastrointestinal problems.
• Narcolepsy is treated by use of stimulating medications during the daytime. A new medication called modafanil seems to have fewer side effects than traditional stimulants.

Prevention for narcolepsy

There is no known prevention for narcolepsy. Problems may also occur when maintaining a consistent sleep and wake schedule is disrupted. This occurs when traveling between times zones and with shift workers on rotating schedules, particularly nighttime workers.

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine which can causes the sleeping disorders.
• Avoid situations that aggravate the condition if you are prone to attacks of narcolepsy.
• Patients with narcolepsy cannot perform psychomotor tasks or maintain alertness as well as normal controls, even when treated with psychostimulants and REM-sleep-suppressing drugs.