Narcolepsy is a condition wherein a person falls asleep unexpectedly. This can happen anywhere and any time, even while doing an activity like driving or while working. The condition is known to occur since the brain is not able to regulate between sleep and wakefulness. People with narcolepsy can feel rested after waking, but they often feel sleepy throughout the day. Most find it difficult to remain awake for extended periods of time.
Cataplexy is another condition that commonly co-occurs with narcolepsy. In cataplexy, a person experiences involuntary muscle paralysis. It is triggered by strong emotions like anger, excitement, stress, or fear.
Causes
Narcolepsy can occur due to a lack of hypocretin in the brain. Hypocretin is a chemical that helps regulate the sleep cycle. The cause for this deficiency is thought to be an auto-immune response. There are other possible triggers that may cause narcolepsy. These include hormonal changes during puberty or menopause; sudden change in sleep pattern; a high amount of psychological stress; infections like swine flu or streptococcal infection; or an inherited genetic flaw.
Symptoms
A person with narcolepsy can experience excessive daytime sleepiness; sleep paralysis; loss of muscle tone; and changes in REM sleep. Hallucinations can also occur due to the condition.
Nutritional tips
People with narcolepsy can make a few changes to their daily meals to manage the condition.
Prebiotics and probiotics
According to research, some people suffering from narcolepsy may have imbalanced gut bacteria. Eating gut-friendly foods and beverages like kombucha, yogurt, kefir, and fermented kimchi are recommended.
Well balanced meals
Making sure the body gets the necessary macronutrients is extremely important. One is advised to eat low carb, heart healthy, and protein rich meals. This includes eating vegetables like spinach, kale, and brussels sprouts. One can also eat whole grains like brown rice, oats, millets, and fruits like papaya, oranges, and kiwi.
Management and natural remedies
There is no cure for this condition; however, it can be managed through certain lifestyle changes.
Understanding sleep cycle
Since falling asleep at any time is the main symptom, it is important to understand the body’s sleep cycle. Make sure you get enough rest and sleep at night. During the day, you can make arrangements to rest or take a quick power nap so that you are not sporadically falling asleep in the middle of an important task. One can also take a nap before they need to drive back home to avoid any accidents on the road. A person can also request work from home arrangements to be more efficient at the workplace.
Children too can be affected by narcolepsy. Parents must speak to the teachers and other students to create an empathetic environment and effectively manage the condition.
Vitamin D
There are studies to suggest that those suffering from narcolepsy may also have low levels of vitamin D. This can result in fatigue, which can trigger narcolepsy symptoms in the body. One can improve vitamin D levels by increasing their exposure to the sun. Additionally, some people take vitamin D supplements to help with this deficiency. Speak to your health professional for vitamin intake and how it could be effective in fighting off fatigue and narcolepsy symptoms.
Regular exercise
Even a light to moderate intensity workout regularly can be beneficial. Studies indicate that exercising helps improve the sleep cycle and releases “feel-good” hormones that keep the body and mood uplifted. One can incorporate yoga, pilates, and walking in their exercise routine. High intensity workouts may lead to episodes of cataplexy, so one should maintain caution and choose the right intensity. Also ensure that the environment is safe. If one begins to experience symptoms suddenly, make sure that someone is around to help out.