Coping With Narcolepsy Tips to Stay Awake

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        <p>Sleeping during the course of the day is normal â€“ especially
when you do not have things to do and just want a bit of rest. However,
it can be quite a problem if you succumb to daytime sleepiness at random
times, particularly during hours when you should be working or
concentrating on something. If these situations happen frequently enough,
you could be suffering from narcolepsy. Here are some tips that can help
you cope with narcolepsy:<br><br>1. Read up information on
narcolepsy.<br>When you have some free time in your hands â€“ meaning
you're not nodding off to sleep â€“ read up about narcolepsy.
Understanding your condition is key in finding the right solutions. For
example, do you know that a person who suffers from narcolepsy is called
narcoleptic and that imbalances in brain chemicals cause it? And one more
thing â€“ narcolepsy is incurable. It is a chronic disorder that needs a
lifetime of management if you want to spend some time out of the bedroom.
But despite it being incurable, it'll help you to know that there are
medications and techniques that can actually keep you awake when you want
to.Â <br><br><br>2. Be ready for symptoms.<br>A lot of narcolepsy
symptoms get misdiagnosed as that of other more popular disorders such as
anxiety, depression, andÂ drug abuse so it is important to pay
attention. Symptoms of narcolepsy rarely come singly; most often than
not, these signs come in pairs or in progression. Some symptoms to watch
out for include overwhelming drowsiness and an uncontrollable need to
sleep during the day, cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone which results
in slurred speech and general muscle weakness), sleep paralysis
(temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or upon
waking.), and hallucinations. Restless nighttime sleep is also a symptom.
<br><br><br>3. Address and treat symptoms.<br>Since managing narcolepsy
largely depends in controlling its symptoms and causes, it is time to pay
attention to these matters. Excessive daytime drowsiness or EDS can be
prevented by establishing good nighttime sleep routines. If you are
bothered by insomnia â€“ which can make EDS worse â€“ buying sleep aid
drugs online can help. Just be sure to check with your doctor to ensure
that no negative interactions will occur. EDS can also be fought off by
using stimulants. On the other hand, antidepressants are also useful in
preventing hallucinations. Just remember to follow your doctor's
prescription religiously to avoid overdosing and other complications.Â
<br><br><br>4. Practice preventive measures.<br>To stave off EDS, take
short naps at strategic times during the day. These naps can help boost
your alertness and prevent drowsiness for at least three hours. Avoiding
nicotine and alcohol can also help a lot since they can cause other
symptoms to worsen. It also helps to stick to a strict sleep schedule as
this can help your body clock recognize between the right and wrong time
to fall asleep. Exercising and eating a balanced diet can also prevent
muscle loss and weakness.Â <br><br><br>5. Form a support
group.<br>Having a support from your workplace or school can
significantly boost your chances of coping with narcolepsy. The American
with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against narcoleptic
workers and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to
qualified employees. You can talk to your teacher or boss about taking
short naps during the day, recording meetings and lectures, or breaking
up monotonous tasks.</p>        <!--INFOLINKS_OFF-->

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