Narcolepsy

Symptoms

Narcolepsy is a sleeping disorder which causes an overwhelming need to sleep during the day. Falling asleep can occur quite suddenly and during the most inopportune moments. The overwhelming desire to sleep cannot be stopped and any attempts to keep awake ultimately fail. These attacks are usually short, lasting several minutes, and serve to rejuvenate the person. During the attack, the person looks as if they are sleeping and can be wakened as if from normal sleep.

Narcolepsy is often confused with catalepsy, in which a person abruptly loses muscle strength in all or part of the body following a sudden emotion, like anger, fear or happiness. In catalepsy, the person remains awake even though they are paralyzed and collapsed on the floor. This can also occur at night in bed where, although awake, the person cannot move.

Causes

Narcolepsy is most likely a neurological disorder involving the sleep-wake center in the brain, like most nervous system disorders. Though the underlying mechanism is unknown, both sexes are equally affected and it is usually diagnosed at a fairly early age. Other causes for overwhelming sleepiness are head injuries, a dangerously high fever, severe dehydration or an infection affecting the brain. If any of these are suspected, the situation must be treated as an emergency. Drug overdoses may also cause extreme sleepiness. An excessive desire for sleep may be due to chronic fatigue syndrome or other illnesses like anemia, depression or cancer. Some sleeping sicknesses have been transmitted by insect bites.

Nutrition

Dietary guidelines for the prevention of narcolepsy are difficult to formulate because the cause for narcolepsy is unknown. Include salmon, sardines, tuna and eggs in the diet. These foods provide vitamin B12 and folic acid, two nutrients the body needs to synthesize choline. They also contain some choline themselves. Nuts and whole grains should also be eaten regularly. They provide pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and manganese, which are needed for the conversion of choline to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

If narcolepsy is triggered by an overly full stomach, be sure to eat smaller meals more regularly and avoid heavy foods with lots of meat and saturated fat as these remain longer in the stomach. Light, vegetarian meals are recommended.

Nutritional Supplements

Choline, one of the B complex vitamins, is a natural stimulant that does not produce the adverse side-effects of artificial stimulants such as caffeine or other drugs. Choline is essential for the transmission of nerve impulses, which trigger the sleep-wake brain mechanism. A choline deficiency will impair brain function.The B complex vitamins also help to produce energy and reduce stress, as well as maintain a healthy nervous system.

Calcium and magnesium are also effective neurotransmitters and should be supplemented to improve nervous system function. Energy is provided by calcium and, when taken at night, it promotes sound sleep. A magnesium deficiency will likewise cause nervousness by disrupting nerve and muscle transmissions.

Daily dosages:

Choline, 100 mg three times daily

Calcium 1,200 mg

Magnesium, 600 mg

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg three times daily

Homeopathy

An experienced homeopath can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of symptoms and offer treatment to achieve lasting results. Narcolepsy sufferers may respond to constitutional treatment and diet and lifestyle changes.

Tissue Salts

Tissue salts are not applicable for the treatment of this condition.

External/Physical Therapies

External treatments are not applicable for this condition.

Other Suggestions

Food allergy testing or an elimination diet is recommended. Sometimes avoiding a certain kind of food can remedy this problem. A case has been reported where the person would fall asleep shortly after eating potatoes. Simply avoiding this food resolved the problem.