HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT NARCOLEPSY ?

Diagnosing Narcolepsy
In preliminary stages, the doctor tests for narcolepsy based on both excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy) experiences. After this diagnosis, he may suggest a sleep specialist for further evaluation.

During formal diagnosis, tha patient is asked to stay overnight at the sleep center, where in-depth analysis of the sleep is done by a team of specialists. Following are the methods of diagnosing narcolepsy:
Sleep history. Involves filling the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a short questionnaire to check the degree of sleepiness.
Actigraphy. A device is worn on the wrist, just like a watch that measures how and when you sleep.
Polysomnogram. Measures a variety of signals, such as electrical activity of brain and heart, movement of muscles and eyes, monitors the breathing.
Multiple sleep latency test. Examines the amount of time needed to fall asleep during the day. The doctors observe the sleep patterns.

Treating Narcolepsy
There is no actual cure for narcolepsy, but medications and lifestyle changes help to manage the symptoms. Following medications are generally used:
Stimulants. Stimulate the central nervous system. Include drugs, such as Modafinil (Provigil), Methylphenidate (Ritalin) or various amphetamines.
Antidepressants. These suppress REM sleep, improves the symptoms of cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis. Includes tricyclic antidepressants such as protriptyline (Vivactil) and imipramine (Tofranil) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) and sertraline (Zoloft).
Sodium oxybate (Xyrem). Controls cataplexy. Helps to improve nighttime sleep and controls daytime sleepiness.