While there is no known cure for narcolepsy, medications, lifestyle changes and other therapies can help relieve many of your symptoms. Treatment depends on the type and severity of symptoms. A Riverside sleep specialist, trained in sleep medicine, will develop and oversee a treatment plan that is right for you.
Medications
You may be prescribed one or more medications to treat narcolepsy symptoms. These may include:
- Stimulants to ease daytime sleepiness and raise your alertness.
- Medication to help make up for low levels of hypocretin in your brain. (Hypocretin is a chemical that helps control levels of wakefulness.)
- Medication to help you sleep at night.
- Medication to treat depression that also help prevent cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes may also help relieve some narcolepsy symptoms. You will be taught to develop good sleep and health habits including:
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Doing something relaxing before bedtime, such as taking a warm bath.
- Keeping your bedroom or sleeping area quiet, comfortable, dark, and free from distractions.
- Exercising regularly, but not within three hours of bedtime.
- Consulting your physician before taking any over the counter medications.
- For several hours before bedtime, avoiding large meals, tobacco, alcohol, chocolate, and drinks that contain caffeine.
- Taking short naps during the daytime.