Understanding this illness and having the necessary support to cope with it are paramount in helping to keeping the sufferer safe thru all the activities the day may bring. This disorder of the brain affects personal relationships as well as schooling, driving and the working environment. The reduction of stress can be of great help. Also, avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine, especially in the evening.

When driving long distances long stopping often is recommended. Always try to have a passenger in the car, try never to drive alone. A short nap before driving will help also. You will need a more flexible work schedule than other co-workers to allow for rest periods during the day. Working close to home is an option, as that will help to cut down on the time of the daily commute. People suffering from this illness are protected by the American’s With Disabilities Act. Employers have to accommodate people with this disability by adjusting the work schedule and allowing for nap times during the day.SSI also offers financial aid if you cannot find employment due to having narcolepsy.

Seeking professional counseling in your area will help with a better understanding of this disorder and enable yourself and your family to better management of your daily activities. If you have a child in school with this illness proper arrangements should be made. Discuss this issue at length with the teacher and the school therapist. To best manage this illness while at school any medication needed to be taken should be kept at a convenient location by the school nurse along with a daily rest schedule. Pregnancy is another factor to consider. Working closely with your doctor, education is needed about the daily medication that is to be taken and how it may affect the pregnancy and the child. Being informed will help in making the correct choices for the course of treatment.

Narcolepsy is an illness that can be treated and controlled with knowledge and daily awareness. Keeping in mind that frequent rest, the avoidance of harmful stimulants, an understanding family and workplace, along with support while at school can facilitate anyone suffering from narcolepsy to have a productive and positive life.

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Disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy can be devastating conditions. In these sleep based disorders, hypnagogic hallucinations become a very regular occurrence for the sufferer. In small doses, hypnogogic hallucinations can be a good thing, but as their frequency increases, the effect of each hypnagogic hallucination becomes more profound.

These hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations can be very mind in a lot of cases. For the average person, simple auditory or visual changes happen. From light sounds to simple visual patterns, these hallucinations are usually nothing that the sleeper will take with them, and will have no real effect. In other cases, these hallucinations can be much more vivid, and according to some, quite useful.

Researchers have found that the mind is more susceptible to suggestion in these moments before and after sleep, due to the fact that these hallucinations are typically caused by the sleeping mind starting to dream before the body has fully fallen asleep. Typically, this means that whatever the conscious mind is thinking of will become full sensory hallucinations, similar to what happens in dreams. However, unlike dreams, these images and sounds are occurring while someone is still actually awake. A lot of times, an abstract problem in the mind of someone affected by these hallucinations will be represented in concrete terms, and a lot of notable people have been quoted as saying that some major accomplishments were the result of insight gained from a hypnagogic hallucination.

The problem, however, is that coupled with these hallucinations is slight amnesia, disorientation, and loss of concrete comprehension. When a disorder such as exhaustion is causing large numbers of “microsleep” sessions throughout the day, these increases in hallucinations can lead to an overall disorientation that cannot be shaken. In these situations, hypnagogic hallucinations treatment must be found. Unfortunately, however, there is no specific treatment to halt the actual hallucinations. The only option will be to address the problem that is causing the actual increase in the hallucinations. When a disorder progresses to the point that it is causing an increase in these hallucinations, it has come to a point that treatment must be started.

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1. Narcolepsy: A Short Introduction
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Cause
The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown. It is probably a combination of genetic and environmental factors which develops to narcolepsy. Scientific research has shown that almost all people with narcolepsy have a lack of a substance in the brains called hypocretine.

Symptoms
A person with narcolepsy suffers from daytime sleepiness with short sleep periods.

The sleep attacks usually last between 10 and 30 minutes. The patient just falls asleep when he is doing something. The attacks mainly occur during or after meals, quiet, sedentary activities, but can also occur at other times. Usually one feels the onset of sleep is coming.

Other symptoms
Other symptoms of narcolepsy are:

* Poor and restless sleep at night
* Sudden short-term muscle paralysis (cataplexy), allowing for example that the head falls forward, or someone drops to his knees
* When in sleep,  sleep paralysis can occur. This is when someone is still conscious but can not move
* Hallucinations, vivid dreams that are very likely directly involved in sleep and act as a very frightening experience

There are also some other more general symptoms such as concentration and memory disorders and blurred vision occur. Also there can be something called “automatic behavior”, this is when they did things they can not remember anymore after a sleep attack.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis of narcolepsy is not always easy. Based on the complaints and the fact that such phenomena can occur in multiple family members makes it suspicious.
Before the diagnosis narcolepsy can be made  – more common – sleep disorders have to be excluded. Examples include obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (characterized by frequent night awakenings and snoring), insomnia and depression.

Confirmation of the diagnosis
The diagnosis of narcolepsy can be confirmed through additional research. Often this research begins to fill in a questionnaire on the symptoms and he will keep a diary. After that it could be decided to measure the brain activity during day and night with the use of a electroencephalogram (EEC) In some cases, blood tests may be necessary. Such sleep studies are usually conducted in a special clinic for sleep disorders.

Treatment
Although the disease can not be cured, there are several drugs available that can control the symptoms of narcolepsy and enables a personal, social and professional life as best possible result. Medications used for this purpose are derived substances like amphetamines, and antidepressants.There are also medicines for any additional symptoms. The treatment is always best when consulting a sleep-wake disorders specialist doctor.

It is also advised trying to adapt to the restrictions of Narcolepsy. Try to take in account with what you are doing that a sleep attack could happen any moment.

Related posts:

1. Living with Narcolepsy
2. Hallucinatory Sleep Disorder
3. Hypnagogic Hallucinations Explained