¶ … narcolepsy and its treatment. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that may have its origins as a neurological disorder. Narcoleptics can fall asleep uncontrollably during the day, and suffer from sleeplessness at night. Often, this disease is undiagnosed and untreated. It usually becomes apparent between the ages of 15 and 25, but it can occur at any time in a person's life. Narcolepsy is a serious illness that requires treatment, but there is no cure. It can be managed with drugs and lifestyle changes.
Normally, a person enters REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep about 90 minutes after falling asleep. This is the deepest form of sleep, and it is when dreams usually occur. During this time, sleepers may experience a loss in muscle tone, sleep paralysis, and especially vivid dreams. In a narcoleptic patient, REM occurs almost immediately after falling asleep, and it can reoccur throughout the day, as well. The symptoms associated with REM sleep can also reoccur throughout the day. For example, a doctor writes, "A variety of symptoms have been said to distinguish narcolepsy from other sleep disorders, including cataplexy, character of daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and automatic behavior" (Aldrich, 1998). The problem with these symptoms is that many other sleep disorders can have some of the same symptoms, so it is often difficult to diagnose narcolepsy.
Other symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and this can interfere with normal daytime activities. The Web site WebMD notes, "People with EDS report mental cloudiness, a lack of energy and concentration, memory lapses, a depressed mood, and/or extreme exhaustion" ("Narcolepsy," 2009). Cataplexy is a loss of muscle tone and control, and it can create many other symptoms, such as slurred speech. Patients often experience hallucinations, too. They can occur at night or during the daytime, and they can be quite frightening. Patients often experience sleep paralysis, as well. When a patient falls asleep or wakes up, they may not be able to move or speak for a few seconds to several minutes....
E., they became helpless). Furthermore, other behaviors of the dogs were adversely affected (e.g., the dogs appeared apathetic and had poor appetites) (Hitzemann, 2000). In his essay, "Animal Models of Psychiatric Disorders and Their Relevance to Alcoholism," Hitzemann (2000) reports that, "Both fear and anxiety are alerting signals that warn the individual against impending danger and enable the individual to take defensive measures. For animals, the distinctions between fear and
Literature Review Amphetamine is a stimulant drug mainly used in the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy (sleeping disorder). Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified amphetamine as a schedule II drug, which means that they can be used for medication and has a high potential for abuse (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d.). Common prescription drugs include Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine. Amphetamine is also used for recreation purposes and popular street names include Crank,
The Prevalence and Treatment of Insomnia TodayEveryone experiences trouble sleeping from time to time. Indeed, the events from a busy day can easily intrude on sleep to the point where people fail to get enough rest each night and the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic has added more fuel to these sleep-disrupting fires. When people consistently fail to get enough sleep for sustained periods of time, however, they can suffer from
Methylphenidate is part of a therapy regimen for the control of the symptoms of Attention Deficity Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD in adults and children (Ogbru 2013, Medline Plus 2012). It stimulates the central nervous system similarly as amphetamines but more mildly. The effects of methylphenidate are also more noticeable on mental activities than in physical movements. It also is used in treating narcolepsy and Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD. Stimulants
Meth Addiction and Abuse Problems Meth Crystal Addiction and Abuse Problems in Los Angeles County Meth addiction and abuse problems are on a rise in Los Angeles County and many other places in other countries. Its use and abuse has become so common that some people have started referring to it as the new heroin. Just like any other drug, the use of this drug above its therapeutic dose has produced toxicities
) between 20 and 50. Studies have shown that people with multiple sclerosis who exercise: c.) have less fatigue How many people in the United States are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis every week? A b.) about 200 ("Take the FDA Consumer") Dealing with Depression As depression is reportedly the most common psychiatric disorder in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, those caring for MS patients who express any sort of suicidal ideation should be closely monitored and referred
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