How to Control Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, also known as the sleeping disease, is a neurological disorder that affects the part of the brain that controls your sleep patterns. A person suffering from narcolepsy may fall asleep at any given time, even while performing physical tasks. There is no cure for narcolepsy, but narcolepsy can be controlled in many different ways.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Set alarm.

   Get into the routine of going to bed at the same time every night. Set your alarm clock so that you wake at the same time each morning. Since narcolepsy disrupts your sleeping habits, having a set routine, will help condition your body to sleep and wake on a schedule.

2. 
    
   Avoid tobacco and alcohol.

   If you are trying to control your narcolepsy, it is a good idea, to avoid alcoholic drinks and tobacco products. Tobacco products and alcohol can make your narcolepsy symptoms worse.

3. 
    
   Take short naps.

   Take short cat naps during the day. This will give you a little rest and a burst of energy. The little naps may alleviate your narcolepsy symptom of falling asleep at inopportune times.

4. 
    
   Exercise before bed.

   To help control narcolepsy symptoms, try exercising each night before going to bed. A short vigorous exercise routine will use up excess energy and help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep for a longer period of time.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to your doctor or health care provider about your narcolepsy symptoms. There are medications that may help control your narcolepsy.
• Talk to your doctor or health care provider, before starting any self care regimen.

[Tfurby]

on 10/27/2009 These tips were researched fishfry. Resources are:

WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/narcolepsy-treatment

MayoClinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/narcolepsy/DS00345/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies

Medicinenet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/narcolepsy/page6.htm#tocm

[fishfry]

on 10/27/2009 I don't know who wrote this article but I can guarantee you it wasn't a Narcoleptic. Exercising right before bed isn't good for anyone, especially for Narcoleptics. You should not be increasing your heart rate right before you go to bed. There should be a cool-down period before going to bed. Also, anyone with Narcolepsy can tell you that short naps are IMPOSSIBLE! Naps for a Narcoleptic usually last for about 2-4 hours minimum. Any shorter then this and they actually feel more tired. 30 MIN POWER NAPS DO NOT WORK FOR A NARCOLEPTIC.

[luv2blog]

on 1/4/2009 Thanks for the info.

[Malzeke]

on 1/2/2009 I didn't know exercise before bed helped.

[psaysofavril]

on 12/30/2008 I never knew this. Thanks.