Coping Narcolepsy with Lifestyle

Narcolepsy Overview

« Narcolepsy & Symptoms « Narcolepsy: Risk Factors « Narcolepsy Sleep Attack « Causes of Narcolepsy « Narcolepsy: Test & Diagnosis

« Narcolepsy: Treatment & Drugs « Coping Narcolepsy with Lifestyle « Narcolepsy: Herbal Remedies, Diet and Supplements « Narcolepsy Diet: One Food Per Meal Diet « Narcolepsy Helps: Discount Modalert, Free Provigil, Diet

 

Coping Narcolepsy with Lifestyle

There is currently no cure for narcolepsy, so the focus must be on treating the symptoms. Here are some lifestyle suggestions for coping narcolepsy:

• Avoid alcohol and sugar. They may seem stimulating initially, but will only make you tired later.

• Exercise daily to improve circulation and oxygenate tissues.

• Napping can rejuvenate you when you have lost sleep. Take up to a 45-minute nap in the early afternoon.

• Make sure your home and workplace are well lit, either by natural sunlight or overhead lighting. Light suppresses the production of melatonin, which is the hormone that produces drowsiness. Full-spectrum light bulbs are best. ¹

• Avoid stressful situations; and, when you feel tired, stop and rest.

• Retire early at night even though you do not seem to be fatigued. Just lay there and rest. Maintain strict regularity in your hours for rest. Never stay up late at night. ²

• NEXT BLOG » Narcolepsy: Herbal Remedies, Diet and Supplements
  As always, get your doctor’s OK before taking any herbs, supplements and when changing your diet…Eat a low-fat diet high in cleansing foods such as leafy green vegetables and sea vegetables. Also eat foods high in B vitamin, such as Brewer’s yeast and brown rice.
  Read: » Narcolepsy: Herbal Remedies, Diet and Supplements

• READ PREVIOUS ARTICLES:
  « Narcolepsy & Symptoms
  Narcolepsy is a rare neurological sleep disorder…It is most characterized by Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS). . .
  Read » Narcolepsy & Symptoms

• « Narcolepsy: Risk Factors
  Because the symptoms of narcolepsy vary from one individual to individual (it is estimated that only 20-25 percent of people with narcolepsy experience all four of the classic symptoms), this disorder is frequently misdiagnosed…
  Read » Narcolepsy: Risk Factors

• « Narcolepsy Sleep Attack
  In healthy individuals, sleep begins with the NREM phase. After 60 minutes or so of NREM sleep, REM sleep begins. A short time later, the entire cycle begins again. In a narcoleptic sleep attack, in contrast, researchers have found that REM sleep begins almost instantly, with no introductory NREM sleep. . .
  Read » Narcolepsy Sleep Attack

• « Causes of Narcolepsy
  The cause or causes of this disorder are unknown, but brain infection, head trauma, or brain tumors may be behind some cases. It is known that narcolepsy almost never the result of insomnia or sleep deprivation. . .
  Read » Causes of Narcolepsy

• « Narcolepsy: Test & Diagnosis
  Your doctor may make a preliminary diagnosis of narcolepsy based on your experience of both excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). After an initial diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist for more evaluation.
  Read » Narcolepsy: Test & Diagnosis

• « Narcolepsy: Treatment & Drugs
  There is no cure for narcolepsy, but medications and lifestyle modifications can help you manage the symptoms. Medications include…
  Read » Narcolepsy: Treatment & Drugs

Sources:
¹ Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; Prescription for Nutritional Healing, p. 591
² Vance Ferrell, and Harold M. Cherne, MD; Natural Remedies Encyclopedia, p. 450