10 Ways to Treat Narcolepsy Using Natural Remedies at Home

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that messes up your normal sleep-wake cycle, making you feel extremely tired and prone to sudden sleepiness during the day. About 1 in 2,000 people have it, but many don’t get diagnosed. While there’s no magic fix, medicines and lifestyle tweaks can help handle the symptoms. 

Some people find that regular medicine isn’t enough, so they try alternative treatments or natural remedies for narcolepsy. These could be simple changes like adjusting your daily habits or trying out herbal treatments, yoga, or acupuncture to improve your sleep pattern and feel better during the day.

Some Natural Treatment Options for Narcolepsy

Explore a variety of home remedies to manage narcolepsy symptoms effectively.

Schedule Naps

Give “strategic napping” a go by taking short cat naps lasting 15-20 minutes each day, but make sure not to sleep more than 30 minutes as longer naps can make you feel even more tired. If you’re working, the Americans With Disabilities Act says your boss has to help out. You could use places like your office, a nursing room, or a wellness room for these quick snoozes.

Yoga and Meditation

Some research suggests that specific yoga poses can help you relax, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep because of their calming effects like deep breathing and being present in the moment. If you want to give yoga a try for better relaxation and sleep, remember these tips:

• Choose the right type of yoga. Avoid styles like hot yoga or vinyasa that might rev up your energy before bed. Instead, go for a gentle, calming practice.
• Create a peaceful environment. Set the mood with soft lighting, soothing music, and a comfortable space to stretch in cozy clothes.
• Focus on your breathing. Pay attention to breathing in and out slowly through your nose and mouth. This can help you unwind and destress before bedtime.
• Take it easy. Don’t push yourself too hard; do only what feels comfortable for your body. You can gradually build up your practice over time.

Eat Smart

If you have a serious type of narcolepsy called narcolepsy with cataplexy, you might have less of a hormone called hypocretin, which keeps you awake. But here’s the bright side: lots of foods have hypocretin! It’s a simple treatment at home for your narcolepsy where you incorporate certain foods, such as sourdough bread, dark green veggies, fermented foods like kimchi, and fish like salmon that have omega-3 fatty acids.

Herbal Remedies

Some herbs can help you sleep better. You can have them as tea or take them as pills. For example, chamomile in tea might improve poor sleep because it contains stuff like apigenin that can calm you down. But we need more research on how well chamomile works for narcolepsy. Some folks might be allergic, so try a little bit first.

Valerian root is another herb that can help you relax and sleep, but studies on it are mixed. Other herbs like passion flower, kava, ginseng, lemon balm, and hops are also used for sleep. But if you’re taking other medications, talk to your doctor first, as herbs can cause side effects or mess with your other medications.

Acupuncture

In acupuncture, tiny needles are put into certain spots on your body, aiming to ease pain and lessen narcolepsy symptoms like headaches, based on traditional Chinese medicine. But scientists aren’t sure if it really helps with sleep issues since there’s not enough proof. Acupuncture is mostly safe when done by an expert, but if it’s not done right, dirty needles might lead to infections or other bad health stuff. So, if you’re thinking about trying acupuncture, find someone who knows what they’re doing.

Mind Your Caffeine

Drinks like coffee or tea with caffeine can keep you awake and stop you feeling sleepy. But if you’re taking pills like armodafinil (Nuvigil) or modafinil (Provigil) for narcolepsy, be careful mixing them with caffeine. It might make your heart beat fast or make you feel jittery and anxious. Don’t have caffeine after 4 p.m.

Exercise

Doing exercise regularly not only helps your body work better but can also improve your sleep. Try to do something you like for at least 20 minutes every day, like dancing, swimming, or playing tennis. Make sure to finish your exercise at least 3 hours before bedtime so you have time to relax and sleep well.

Avoid Smoking

In a small study, people with narcolepsy who smoked said nicotine helped them stay awake during the day. But there were big problems too. About a third of them fell asleep while smoking, and some even got hurt or caused fires from dropped cigarettes. Plus, it’s hard to quit smoking because stopping can make you feel even sleepier due to nicotine withdrawal.

Keep Yourself Cool

Having cold feet might help you stay awake. In a study, it was discovered that those with narcolepsy often have warmer fingers and toes, but when their hands and feet were cooler, they felt more awake. You can try cooling down your body by wearing special clothes, skipping hot drinks or meals, or using fans to keep your hands and feet cool.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Emotional freedom technique (EFT) is a simple therapy similar to acupuncture, where you tap specific points on your body to relieve stress and anxiety. You talk about what’s bothering you while tapping to help deal with tough situations or feeling anxious or sad. It mixes with other therapies like talking, facing fears, and changing how you think. It’s been around since 1995, and the idea is that tapping sends signals to your brain to calm down.

While there’s not a lot of research on how it helps mentally, it’s safe and cheap, and some folks use it to feel better emotionally, though its effects on physical health, like for narcolepsy, aren’t clear yet.

Manage Your Narcolepsy with Natural Remedies

Learn about different natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can help manage narcolepsy symptoms effectively. From strategic napping and yoga to herbal remedies and acupuncture, there are various options to explore. Remember, small changes can make a big difference in improving your sleep and overall well-being. Take the first step towards better managing your narcolepsy today.