Differences between narcolepsy and normal sleep patterns
In a normal individual, sleep usually starts with the first stage of sleep called NREM sleep. And at this stage there is usually a slowing down of the levels of all activity in the individual’s brain. After NREM sleep usually lasts for around an hour in normal individuals, some changes in brain activity are observed. These changes are actually the time it takes for a person to go into rem sleep, which we call actual sleep. The dreams we have are also seen during REM sleep. People with narcolepsy go directly into rem sleep without going into NREM sleep. These people are very likely to experience hallucinations and sleep paralysis.
The exact cause of this disease is not known. However, as a result of research, it has been found that in the case of narcolepsy, which we call a type, people usually have very low hypocretin. This hypocretin ensures that rem sleep occurs regularly in humans. It is not known exactly why hypocretin in the human brain disappears or decreases, but experts believe it is due to a response of the immune system. Narcolepsy can also be caused by hereditary factors. At the same time, if narcolepsy is observed in the person’s family, it is very likely that narcolepsy will also occur in this person.
Complications of Narcolepsy
People Since it is not known exactly what narcolepsy is, people with this condition have great difficulty in their daily lives. People with this condition are even thought to be lazy or lethargic. Narcolepsy causes many people to have reduced performance in their daily life or at work. Because narcolepsy is caused by certain emotional interactions, most people try to avoid these emotional interactions. At the same time, the complication of sleep attacks caused by narcolepsy can cause physical harm. Even when doing a very important job during the day, the person is adversely affected by the narcolepsy attack. Some people experience excessive weight gain as a complication of narcolepsy. In this case, it negatively affects the metabolism of the person.
Narcolepsy Symptoms
Although people with these symptoms may experience fewer symptoms at first, as this condition progresses, it can become a condition that affects the whole life of the person. Among the symptoms of narcolepsy, it is generally seen that people are in a constant state of sleep and have problems focusing during the day. The first symptom of this condition is excessive daytime sleepiness. It also affects the concentration of people in working life and brings many negative events during the day. Perhaps the most dangerous symptom in people with narcolepsy is that they suddenly fall asleep. In other words, these people can fall asleep unexpectedly in an unexpected place at a moment when they least expect it. Symptoms of narcolepsy also include a sudden loss of muscle tone in the individual. In this case, it causes a number of disorders in the person’s body. Having sleep paralysis is another form of narcolepsy. People with sleep paralysis cannot move or speak because this sleep paralysis is caused by narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy Diagnostic Methods
Experts usually diagnose narcolepsy as a preliminary diagnosis for people who experience this condition because excessive daytime sleepiness causes loss of muscle tone. After the diagnosis of Antalya, doctors usually direct the person’s sleep level and time. The narcolepsy test also confirms this diagnosis. During this test, the person is allowed to stay overnight in the sleep center. The diagnosis is made by observing the sleep patterns and patterns of the disease during the night. At the same time, during the night, the doctor examines the person’s sleep history in great depth. In doing so, they fill in the Epworth sleepiness scale. In doing so, the patient is asked certain questions. In some cases, the doctor asks the patient to write down how the patient’s sleep patterns are progressing, keeping a specific schedule for 2 weeks. In this way, it can be determined whether the person has narcolepsy. The person is also asked to wear a device called an actigraph, which looks like a wristwatch and measures how the person sleeps and at what times. With these methods, it is understood whether the person has narcolepsy or not.
Narcolepsy Treatment Methods
Unfortunately, narcolepsy is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. Even if it is not cured, some medications can be used to reduce and alleviate the symptoms. People diagnosed with narcolepsy can learn to live with and control this condition with the support of their environment. Medicines prescribed for narcolepsy must be taken from a doctor and used in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations. People who are diagnosed should usually inform their doctor if they have any other conditions. The doctor will then prescribe a medication accordingly. Some people say that people with narcolepsy should not use allergy and cold medications because they slow down the metabolism and cause drowsiness.
Home Treatments for Narcolepsy
Since there is no drug treatment for narcolepsy, some practices can only be done to reduce symptoms. Among these practices, the individual’s sleep hours should be organized according to a certain schedule. While doing this, it is absolutely necessary to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. At the same time, the patient should sleep for 20 minutes at some times during the day. However, people with this disease should avoid nicotine and alcohol as much as possible. This is because the more they use these substances, the more their symptoms worsen. People who experience this condition should definitely mention this disease to the people they are with in their daily lives. In the event of an unexpected narcolepsy attack, these patients do not have difficulties in their daily lives because they are conscious. At the same time, people with monotonous jobs need to work less and take more frequent sleep breaks.
