Many women face exhaustion during menopause, and it can lead to narcolepsy – a neurological disorder that can affect the control of sleep and wakefulness. They can be caused by excessive daytime sleep, cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. When it comes to menopause, a woman feels exhausted due to hormone fluctuation and all the symptoms in brings along. Decreased levels of estrogen can lower the serotonin levels, and serotonin is used to create the sleep hormone.
There is no particular treatment for narcolepsy, but some medications and changes of daily routines can help you get rid of sleeping disorders.
Tricks to fight narcolepsy
If you fall asleep every time you feel tired, no wonder you have sleeping problems. For a change, try to track when you feel tired during the day, and take only 15-minutes nap in order to renew the energy. In case you have to go work when you feel tired, ask your boss to reschedule your working hours and he will have to comply to the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you go to sleep and get up at the same time, every single day, it will help you make a sleeping schedule. At first, it would be hard, but your body will get used to it after some time.Nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can worsen your situation, especially if you consume them during the night. Besides that, even when you go to sleep, your body will not be able to rest because of all those substances in your blood, so that will interfere with your daily activities.
Regular exercise will help you fall asleep fast, and it will give you more energy to stay awake during the day. Menopausal women should include weight training, as well, because it builds muscles and fights osteoporosis. However, it is not recommended to go to sleep just after exercise, since it can disrupt sleep.
Some things may some as routine, but when it comes to narcolepsy, they can even put your life in danger. Allergy and cold medications may cause drowsiness, and therefore, make you even more tired during the day. Activities, such as driving, climbing ladders and using dangerous machinery should be avoided, and if you want to alert others about your condition, you should wear medical bracelet.
Many people prefer using medications as narcolepsy treatment. Stimulants are supposed to promote wakefulness and alertness during the day, but they also cause side-effects, such as nausea, headache, diarrhea and anxiety. Antidepressants can suppress the REM sleep, but they lead to some side-effects, such as decreased sexual desire, digestive problems and headache.
Narcolepsy can be managed with a combination of self-help approaches. For a start, it is important to listen to your body, and see what it needs to rest during the night, and be full of energy during the day.
