Showing posts with label sleep disorders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep disorders. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Is Narcolepsy A Funny Disorder?


Disorders or medical conditions are never funny; it is those people who do not understand the realities of life make fun of things. It represents their low level of understanding and attitude towards the truth of life. Medical conditions are not under our control, of course, we can take preventive measures but still not one can guarantee that he or she would never suffer from a particular medical condition. 

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder wherein a person does not have any control over sleep and wakefulness. The person suffering from narcolepsy can fall asleep at any point of time from a few seconds up to a few minutes. It could happen during driving, during a meeting or conversation or even during sex. Often this situation becomes a source of fun for many people; however, they do not realize the ground realities behind the situation. 

If a person experiences any of the symptoms of narcolepsy and has a doubt then there is no reason for him or her to feel embarrassed. It is advisable that without wasting any time the concerned person should visit a neurologist so that the condition can be diagnosed as early as possible. With proper drug and behavioral therapy most people suffering from narcolepsy are able to lead a normal life. 

There is no proven treatment or medication available until today for narcolepsy; however, most people are benefited with the drug “modafinil” (provigil). Neurological issues are very complicated and hence one should not risk his or her life taking the rug on own. Narcolepsy takes time to go completely, however, with proper drug, care and behavioral therapy one can definitely get rid of this condition. 

Monday, December 6, 2010

How to Diagnose Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is not easy to diagnose; the main symptom of narcolepsy is “exhaustion”. We all feel exhausted due to hustle and bustle of our everyday life and hence, the condition of narcolepsy often gets mixed up with our general tiredness. However, if one has knowledge about the sleep disorder narcolepsy and the associated symptoms, it can definitely help them to distinguish between day to day tiredness and narcolepsy.  

In case of narcolepsy, the most important symptom to watch - a person suffering from narcolepsy may feel exhausted even during early mornings and that too after having very good night sleep.  The person may also fall asleep and may not have any control on his or her sleep patterns. If a person has some knowledge or information about the condition will definitely be able to distinguish from day to day life patterns. 

The other symptoms to watch are: 

Muscle Weakness (Cataplexy): A person may find it difficult to speak, there could be nodding of the head or may experience weakness of the knees. 

Unusual Dreams (Hallucinations): People who suffer from narcolepsy tend to have vivid dreams when they are falling asleep or waking up. These vivid dreams can seem very real and people often think that they can hear and smell things in their dreams.

Sleep Paralysis: People who suffer from this symptom often report not being able to move or speak while they are falling asleep or waking up. These people are fully conscious during the episode, which can last from a couple of seconds to a couple of minutes. If you suffer from sleep paralysis it can be very frightening.

If a person is doubtful of suffering from one or more of symptom’s of narcolepsy, it is advisable to make an appointment with a doctor and get diagnosed. The doctor will be able to determine if a person indeed has got narcolepsy or just need more sleep in his or her schedule.

A person doesn’t have to suffer through the day. If a person is properly diagnosed with narcolepsy, his or her life can improve dramatically with treatments. There is no reason to be ashamed, visit your doctor and get your life back!


Narcolepsy – Is It Difficult to Diagnose?

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder (also known as dyssomnia). It is a neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness. The person suffering from narcolepsy suffers from sudden and uncontrollable episodes of extreme daytime sleepiness. The patient can fall asleep at any time from a few seconds up to a few minutes. It could happen during driving, during a meeting or conversation or even during sex. Narcolepsy may also cause muscle weakness.

It becomes really very difficult to diagnose narcolepsy. In fact, most sufferers from Narcolepsy don’t know they have it. A person suffering from narcolepsy feels exhausted even after having good sleep during night. Every one of us feel exhausted due to hustle and bustle of everyday life. This is the reason it becomes very difficult to diagnose the symptoms of narcolepsy and is often misunderstood with day to day tiredness.

However, diagnosis of the condition of narcolepsy is very important because it can be definitely controlled and treated with proper drug and behavioral therapy. Often, people suffering from the condition narcolepsy are put on the drug modafinil and are asked to follow a certain life pattern. 

Truly speaking, until today there is no recognized treatment for narcolepsy. Moreover, it cannot be treated in a definite period of time; the treatment is a long term process in the form of certain drugs and controlled behavioral patterns. Narcolepsy is not a common condition; it is affecting 1 in 2000 people in the US. Whereas other sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea is seen to be affecting more and more people.

People suffering from narcolepsy, in general, are able to lead a normal life. However, at times it could be dangerous as well if the sleep attacks or sudden control loss occurs while they are using any dangerous machinery or driving. Hence, timely diagnosis of the condition and proper treatment and care is of utmost importance. 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Narcolepsy – How Common It Is?


Narcolepsy is not a common condition; it is affecting 1 in 2000 people in the US. Whereas other sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea is seen to be affecting more and more people. Narcolepsy has not spared even the famous people like Franck Bouyer, a French cyclist. Another famous person who had narcolepsy was Jimmy Kimmel; he was the host for the famous show called "The Man Show". Not only these two famous personality, however, many other famous people were affected with narcolepsy.

People suffering from narcolepsy, in general, are able to lead a normal life. However, at times it could be dangerous as well if the sleep attacks or sudden control loss occurs while they are using any dangerous machinery or driving. This entire incident can really cause injury. It even will affect their performance in anything they do especially if they work as a teacher, lawyer or any other professional field.

There isn’t any proven treatment for narcolepsy, however, most people suffering from this condition have benefited from the use of the drug “Modafinil”. The medication is a central nervous system stimulant (CNS). The drug is used for increasing wakefulness and daytime alertness in people who experience excessive sleepiness during the day, either due to narcolepsy or due to a syndrome called obstructive sleep apnoea.

The drug “Modafinil” works at the central nervous system level, it stimulates the activity in the brain and spinal cord. It is indicated for the symptomatic relief of excessive sleepiness associated with Narcolepsy. However, the drug will only reduce the symptoms, but will not alleviate them entirely. In fact, Narcolepsy cannot be treated completed; only the symptoms could be controlled with behavioral and drug therapy.

The condition Narcolepsy was not able to stop all these famous people; it is their courage that has helped them to achieve their goals. So, if you find yourself suffer from narcolepsy, remember not to quit. Yet, take it as a challenge for you to go further.

Narcolepsy – Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment



What is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder resulting into sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep. People suffering from narcolepsy would experience periods of extreme daytime sleepiness. The patient can fall asleep at any time from a few seconds up to a few minutes. It could happen during driving, during a meeting or conversation or even during sex. Narcolepsy may also cause muscle weakness.

Diagnosis: 

1. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

2. Cataplexy, here there is a sudden loss of muscle tone with little or no warning

3. Wild hallucinations, can occur during the onset of sleep and during waking

4. Sleep Paralysis, this can occur at the beginning and end of sleep

Causes: 

A number of research being carried out since 1999, however, until today there is no definite answer to this question. Still there are doubts as regards the causes of narcolepsy. It is believed that there is some “normal sleep cycle” that takes place during sleep. This sleep cycle is controlled by neurons and which in turn depends on hormone Hypocretin. For narcoleptics, it has been noted that the hormone Hypocretin is a lot lower than in people who don't suffer from Narcolepsy.

Treatment: 

As we are not sure as to the cause of the condition “narcolepsy”, until today there isn’t any full proof treatment of narcolepsy. However, the use of the drug like Modafinil has helped to ease out the situation to some extent for patients suffering from narcolepsy. The drug Modafinil works by stimulating the activity within the brain and the spinal cord. It is indicated for the symptomatic relief of excessive sleepiness associated with Narcolepsy. However, the drug will only reduce the symptoms, but will not alleviate them entirely. In fact, Narcolepsy cannot be treated completed; only the symptoms could be controlled with behavioral and drug therapy. It is always advisable to consult a qualified medical practitioner before embarking on any course of treatment.