1. Get Plenty of Sleep
The sleep disorder narcolepsy can strike without any warning, even if the sufferer receives enough sleep the night before. Even so, those with narcolepsy can treat and manage excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) by getting plenty of sleep the night before. Being well rested makes symptoms of narcolepsy, like EDS, far less acute. When you are first treating narcolepsy it's a good idea to get far more sleep than you might think you need (at least 10 hours, for example), and then scale back to see what effect different sleep times have on your condition.
2. Take Naps During the Day
Schedule a few naps during the course of the day. During initial treatment of the sleep disorder it's a good idea to take at least three naps of roughly 15 to 20 minutes. Naps are ideal for combating daytime sleepiness as they provide a controlled environment for you to address sleepiness, as opposed to running the risk of falling asleep in a critical situation. Those with mild narcolepsy can typically go through the day with one or two naps and find their fatigue levels greatly diminished.
3. Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is a great way to counter narcoleptic conditions. Exercise raises your heart rate and increases your energy level, which can keep you alert during the day. Even 20 minutes of vigorous exercise is usually enough to counter the effects of fatigue. It's generally a good idea to avoid exercise within two to three hours of going to sleep at night, as your body can still be energized from your workout. Try to get exercise before midday to ensure you'll be drowsy at night when you want to be.
4. Make Lifestyle Changes
Simple steps can be taken to battle narcolepsy, although they can be challenging from a personal standpoint. Smoking, for example, raises your heart rate and can keep you alert and awake, but the long-term health effects on both your body and your sleep condition are profound. Quitting smoking isn't easy, but the benefits far outweigh the struggle. Avoiding caffeine is another potential lifestyle change since caffeine is known to keep you alert even 12 hours after your first cup. Alcohol can also affect your sleep cycle. Until you know that you are adequately treating narcolepsy it's a good idea to avoid alcohol as well.
