Harvard Health Publishing And 3 Other Doctors Answer: How Do You Stay Awake With Narcolepsy?
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Answered by Dr. Robert H. Shmerling
M.D. Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 30 years of experience · USA
There are a number of approaches that can help people with narcolepsy stay awake. These include: • Getting enough sleep – besides getting enough sleep at night, daytime naps and treatment of other conditions (such as sleep apnea, anxiety or depression) can help keep you stay alert during the day • Keeping a regular sleep schedule • Avoiding use of phones or other screens around bedtime • Eating small meals and moderating your carbohydrate intake - large meals and a high-carb diet may cause drowsiness • Keep moving during the day – if you are usually sedentary, try to get up and walk around every half hour or so • Avoiding alcohol, nicotine or other substances (including over-the-counter medications) that can affect sleep • Getting plenty of exercise on a regular basis – but, avoid exercising in the hours just before bed • Consulting with a sleep specialist to discuss medication treatment – there are a number of medicines that can improve wakefulness in people with narcolepsy
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Answered by Dr. Ilya Aleksandrovskiy
M.D., MBA · 5 years of experience · USA
Taking short scheduled naps for 20 minutes or shorter through the day, getting a good night's sleep, avoiding heavy meals and moving (standing, taking short walks or stretching) helps stay awake. Exercise, avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bed time and going to sleep and waking up at the same time everyday improves night time sleep which in turn helps in staying more alert in the day time.
Answered by Dr. Sujith Chunduri
MBBS · 2 years of experience · India
Schedule naps called strategic napping, try to take several naps of about 15-20 minutes every day. Rest best at night, try to go to bed at same time every day. Limit carbs in your diet, so that drowsiness after heavy meal won’t be there. Walk around every 20 minutes to stay alert. Regular physical exercises ramps your metabolism and take rest at night.
→ Learn more about narcolepsy: See the causes, symptoms, treatment options and more.
→ See more questions and expert answers related to narcolepsy.
Answered by Dr. Rajesh Mishra
MBBS · Less than a year of experience · India
By schedule sleep time. Avoid nicotine uses. Use caffeine product to stay alert. Exercise and healthy diet.
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