Narcolepsy Specialist
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Sunit R Patel, M.D., F.C.C.P., D.A.B.S.M.
Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Specialists & Pulmonary & Sleep Specialist located in Merced, CA & Turlock, CA
About 1 in 2,000 Americans have narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by persistent drowsiness and difficulty staying awake. At his self-titled practice, pulmonary and sleep specialist Sunit R. Patel, MD, diagnoses and treats both type 1 and type 2 narcolepsy. To schedule an appointment, call the nearest office in Turlock or Merced, California, or use the online booking feature today.
Narcolepsy Q & A
What is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that makes it incredibly difficult to stay awake. If you have narcolepsy, you might doze off while eating, driving, or during a conversation. Without intervention and treatment, narcolepsy can affect your health and quality of life.
There’s no cure for narcolepsy, but a combination of prescription medication, healthy lifestyle changes, and routine checkups can reduce uncomfortable symptoms and help you feel better.
What are the symptoms of narcolepsy?
Symptoms of narcolepsy include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sudden loss of muscle tone
- Sleep paralysis
- Changes during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep
If you have narcolepsy, you might also experience hallucinations when falling asleep or waking up. For example, you might sense that someone is in your bedroom, watching you.
What are the types of narcolepsy?
Dr. Patel treats both types of narcolepsy:
Type 1 narcolepsy
Type 1 narcolepsy causes a sudden loss of muscle tone, called cataplexy, in addition to excessive drowsiness.
Type 2 narcolepsy
Type 2 narcolepsy causes excessive drowsiness, making it difficult to stay awake.
How is narcolepsy diagnosed?
To diagnose narcolepsy, Dr. Patel reviews your medical history and asks various questions, including how often you feel drowsy, if there are certain times of day when your symptoms are worse, and if you take any medications to help you sleep.
Next, he orders a sleep test, like polysomnography or a multiple sleep latency test.
Polysomnography
Polysomnography occurs at a medical facility like a hospital. Before the test, a number of electrodes are attached to your scalp. Once you fall asleep, the electrodes monitor the electrical activity of your brain and heart, the movement of your muscles and eyes, and your breathing.
Dr. Patel uses that information to develop a custom treatment plan that aligns with your needs.
Multiple sleep latency test
A multiple sleep latency test measures how long it takes you to fall asleep for a nap. During the test, Dr. Patel asks you to take several naps two hours apart. If you doze off and enter REM sleep quickly, you probably have narcolepsy.
How is narcolepsy treated?
There’s no cure for narcolepsy, but it’s possible to manage your symptoms through a combination of prescription medication and healthy lifestyle changes.
If you have narcolepsy, Dr. Patel recommends waking up and going to bed at the same time each day, scheduling short naps at regular intervals throughout the day, exercising regularly, and avoiding nicotine and alcohol.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms and the type of narcolepsy you have, Dr. Patel might prescribe:
- Stimulants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Sodium oxybate
To explore the various treatment options for narcolepsy, make an appointment at the practice of Sunit R. Patel, MD, by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.
