Special approaches in management
Naps are an important aid to the reduction of daytime sleepiness, particularly when achieved in the afternoon when most people's daytime sleepiness is at its peak. It is also important to nap before an activity which requires alertness.
Try to avoid large meals during the day as they can produce drowsiness particularly when consumed with alcohol.
Long periods of concentration and attention should be broken into smaller periods, preferably with a nap in between.
There is anecdotal evidence that food and other environmental sensitivities exacerbate the symptoms. Many individuals suffering from narcolepsy are overweight and report an intense craving for sweets as a manifestation of their illness. Experiments indicate that in some cases diet can be manipulated to help the patient - specifically that reducing the ingestion of sweets and carbohydrates can improve alertness.
Patients should be watched carefully for the obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome. This condition should be suspected if the patient snores loudly with pauses in respiration, has restless sleep, and unexplained hypertension. The apnoeic episodes can usually be observed by the bed partner. This type of apnoea will often respond to weight loss and can be treated effectively with a technique known as nasal CPAP.
Frequent napping and drug use can cause patients to develop phase shift in terms of the environmental clock time. His or her most alert period may not occur at the most appropriate time during the 24-hour period and the time of alert period may change from day to day.
It is strongly recommended that the patient be referred to the Narcolepsy UK. Membership offers counselling, moral support and an opportunity to keep informed about developments.