How Is Narcolepsy Treated?
Narcolepsy has no cure. However, medicines,
lifestyle changes, and other therapies can relieve many of its symptoms.
Treatment for narcolepsy is based on the type of symptoms you have and how
severe they are.
Not all medicines and lifestyle changes work for
everyone. It may take weeks to months for you and your doctor to find the best
treatment.
Medicines
You may need one or more medicines to treat
narcolepsy symptoms. These may include:
- Stimulants to ease daytime sleepiness and raise
your alertness.
- A medicine that helps make up for the low levels
of hypocretin in your brain. (Hypocretin is a chemical that helps control
levels of wakefulness.) This medicine helps you stay awake during the day and
sleep at night. It doesn't always completely relieve daytime sleepiness, so
your doctor may tell you to take it with a stimulant.
- Medicines that help you sleep at night.
- Medicines used to treat depression. These
medicines also help prevent cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep
paralysis.
Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can
interfere with your sleep. Ask your doctor about these medicines and how to
avoid them, if possible.
If you take regular naps when you feel sleepy, you
may need less medicine to stay awake.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes also may help relieve some
narcolepsy symptoms. You can take steps to make it easier to fall asleep at
night and stay asleep.
- Follow a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and
wake up at the same time every day.
- Do something relaxing before bedtime, such as
taking a warm bath.
- Keep your bedroom or sleep area quiet,
comfortable, dark, and free from distractions, such as a TV or computer.
- Allow yourself about 20 minutes to fall asleep or
fall back asleep after waking up. After that, get up and do something relaxing
(like reading) until you get sleepy.
Certain activities, foods, and drinks before bedtime
can keep you awake. Try to follow these guidelines:
- Exercise regularly, but not within 3 hours of
bedtime.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol, chocolate, and drinks
that contain caffeine for several hours before bedtime.
- Avoid large meals and beverages just before
bedtime.
- Avoid bright lights before bedtime.
For more tips on sleeping better, see the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's
"Your
Guide to Healthy Sleep."
Other Therapies
Light therapy may help you keep a regular sleep and
wake schedule. For this type of therapy, you sit in front of a light box, which
has special lights, for 10 to 30 minutes. This therapy can help you feel less
sleepy in the morning. |