Narcolepsy

Millions of people suffer from sleeping disorders each year. A sleeping disorder is defined as the inability to fall asleep or have quality, restful sleep during the night. There are many common sleeping disorders such as Insomnia which is the inability to fall asleep and get a full nights rest, Sleep Apnea which is when the lungs do not receive oxygen during sleep due to an obstruction in the throat and Narcolepsy which is a person’s uncontrollable desire to fall asleep at any time. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder due to the brain not being able to regulate sleep and wake cycles.

Narcolepsy has recently been in the spotlight due to how dangerous this ailment can be. Can you imagine falling asleep uncontrollably in a car while driving?

Unfortunately, Narcolepsy has no cure but there are medications that can help treat this disorder. Common treatments are Modafil and some types of antidepressant drugs. Other non drug treatments are to take naps during the day when feeling tired and to make sure that sufferers have a restful sleep. This can cut down on uncontrollable sleeping during the day.

If you think that you or a loved one may be experiencing Narcolepsy, it is best to consult with a physician on proper diagnosis and treatment.