Almost everyone with narcolepsy has excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Some people also have cataplexy, which is a sudden loss of muscle tone. This can range from drooping eyelids to total body collapse. Laughing and intense emotions can trigger it.

It is important that friends and family understand the condition and how it affects people with narcolepsy. This can help reduce misunderstandings and increase support.

Stay Active

If you are active throughout the day, it will help you to fight off sleepiness and reduce the frequency of episodes of cataplexy. Exercise also helps keep your weight under control and may lower the risk of cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure. Narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder are two sleep disorders that Modalert 200 is used to treat.

Avoid large meals and foods that are high in carbohydrates, as they tend to cause drowsiness. If you take any medicines that have drowsiness as a side effect, ask your doctor about switching to different ones.

Educate yourself and your friends and family about narcolepsy. They will be able to better support you if they know what to expect. Many people with narcolepsy lead full lives, as long as they have proper treatment and manage their symptoms. Treatment usually includes behavioral strategies and carefully chosen medications.

Sleep at the Same Time Every Day

People with narcolepsy often experience fragmented sleep, which means they have trouble falling asleep at night and experience dreams that don't make sense. They also may have a sudden loss of energy or feel like they fall asleep during activities, such as driving or going to work. For those who have been identified as having severe sleep difficulties, the dosages of medications like Waklert 150 Australia are very beneficial.

Treatment includes medicine that stimulates the central nervous system to help you stay awake, as well as regular exercise and avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Your doctor will also recommend that you avoid taking medicines that can cause drowsiness, such as over-the-counter allergies and cold medications.

Support groups and counseling are available to help people with narcolepsy and their families cope. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral. Children with narcolepsy have legal protections that require schools to provide accommodations, such as modified class schedules and naps.

Get Regular Exercise

People with narcolepsy often feel more energetic and alert after exercising. Exercise also helps with weight maintenance and combats cardiovascular problems, which are common in people who have narcolepsy.

The type of exercise that works best depends on the individual. For example, running can make some individuals feel more tired, but others find it energizing and distracting from their fatigue.

In addition to being physically healthy, getting regular exercise may help reduce the frequency of cataplexy episodes. These are sudden muscle weakness attacks that are triggered by strong emotions, including fear, anger, stress, or excitement.

Some people who have narcolepsy have difficulty identifying these episodes, which can lead to a misdiagnosis and improper treatment. This is because these symptoms look similar to seizures and other serious medical conditions.

Take a Nap

For most people with narcolepsy, sleep-wake schedules, and scheduled naps help control excessive daytime sleepiness. For some, however, stimulant medicines are needed to help stay awake and avoid falling asleep involuntarily during the day.

Stimulant drugs, such as modafinil or armodafinil, may be used alone or in combination with scheduled naps to improve narcolepsy symptoms. Your healthcare provider will choose the medicine and dosage that works best for you.

It's important to talk with family members and coworkers about your narcolepsy so they can understand it and support you. Finding a support group that includes people with narcolepsy can also be beneficial. It can help you feel less isolated from others who have the disorder and share strategies to cope with it.

Avoid Alcohol

Many people with narcolepsy use alcohol as a way to fall asleep at night. But drinking can actually disrupt sleep quality, making it harder to get to REM sleep at the end of the sleep cycle. It can also increase the chances of waking during the night, which is another common symptom of narcolepsy.

Avoiding caffeine and nicotine products is a good idea, too. Both can create sleep disturbances and worsen narcolepsy symptoms, particularly for those who have more severe narcolepsy with cataplexy.

While there is no cure for narcolepsy, medicines, and lifestyle changes can help manage the condition. A healthcare provider can explain the benefits and risks of medications for narcolepsy and recommend the best dosage and schedule for each person. In addition, online and in-person support groups can connect people with similar challenges.