Narcolepsy Medication And Narcolepsy Facts

        The main purpose of the narcolepsy medication is to keep the patient away from an irregular schedule, to reduce the cataplexy episodes to minimum and to form a normal nictemeral rythm.

       Narcolepsy medications include:

• stimulants
• antidepressants
• sodium oxybate

       The stimulants of the central nervous system represent the first intention of treatment for people who suffer from narcolepsy. Modafinil is a new non-addictive stimulant and produces no significant changes in patient mood. Some people need treatment with methylphenidate or even with amphetamines, but although these latter drugs are effective, their pharmacological action is accompanied by side effects, such as irritability and palpitations; the risk of addiction is also very high if it is used for a long time.

       Doctors often prescribe antidepressants that suppress REM sleep, to decrease the intensity of the symptoms of cataplexy, hallucinations and sleep paralysis. These drugs include tricyclic antidepressants such as protriptyline, imipramine and selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine and sertraline that have fewer side effects than tricyclic antidepressants; These side-effects include anticholinergic effects manifested by dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation.

       Sodium oxybate is part of the narcolepsy medication that controls cataplexy in people with narcolepsy. Sodium oxybate increases the duration and quality of sleep at night, often affected in narcolepsy, and in higher doses can keep you awake during the day. However, because this drug has considerable side effects - difficulty of breathing during sleep, sleep walking and enuresis (urinating in sleep), its prescription is strictly regulated by law and shall be issued only in special locations (hospitals), only on prescription.

       If you suffer from narcolepsy and other health problems, such as hypertension or diabetes - ask your doctor if these conditions will interact with narcolepsy medication.

       Some drugs that do not require prescription, like antihistamines or cold medicines may cause drowsiness as a side effect, and patients who suffer from narcolepsy will be advised by their doctor to avoid these drugs, if possible. The narcolepsy medication helps reducing the signs and symptoms of the disease, but doesn't completely eliminate them. It is thus necessary a lifestyle change as part of the complex treatment that this illness benefits of.

Narcolepsy facts

       Narcolepsy facts highlighted in society are related to the way the peers or family behave with the patient. This desease can cause integration problems, both socially and professionally. The others may associate the condition with lethargy, lack of politeness or even laziness; In consequence, professional and academic performance may decrease.

       One of the most important narcolepsy facts is that it can seriously interfere with the social activities of the person affected by narcolepsy. The individual may harm himself and those around him at any time; If the one affected by this illness is walking on the street and falls asleep, it is very possible he or she will fall and get hurt. If the patient is driving a car in traffic, he might fall asleep as well. In conclusion, there are a lot of accidents that can occur during different activities, so it is necessary an early diagnosis in order to institute appropriate medication immediately.

       Other narcolepsy facts are that the risks of burns or cuts is higher, as paradoxical sleep episodes and cataplexy can occur during food preparation and also that the sexual live may become affected. Narcolepsy may affect the maintenance of intimate relationships, as drowsiness may lead to decrease libido or impotence. Sexual problems may be complicated by adding an emotional component. The emergence of feelings of joy or anger can cause a narcoleptic episode, which leads people to suffer from this condition to gradually isolate their emotional life.

       Narcolepsy facts and researches have proven that the illness is more common in men than in women and can occur in people of any race or ethnic group. Incidence rate varies from country to country, the United States one in 2000 persons suffers from narcolepsy, while in Israel, only one person in 500,000 suffers from this disease. The highest rate of incidence is Japan, where narcolepsy affects an individual in every 600 people. Disease shows familial aggregation and a certain percentage of people who suffer from narcolepsy have at least one close relative who experiences the same symptoms. The result is that those narcolepsy facts affect not only the person who suffers from narcolepsy, but also the people around them, making them more careful with the patient and interfering in their social network.