Narcolepsy describes a chronic neurological disorder leading to an inability of the brain to regulate sleep-wake cycles. The cause of narcolepsy is not well known. It is recommended to consult a neurologist, if respective symptoms appear.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder belonging to the group of hypersomnia. It leads to an inability of the brain to regulate the sleep-wake cycles well. People with narcolepsy may have problems like excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations and cataplexy. The excessive daytime sleepiness can result in sudden sleep attacks, which may last from some seconds to minutes, even when persons had enough sleep during night. Narcolepsy can occur at any age.
The exact cause of narcolepsy is unknown. Some researches show that narcolepsy may be related to low levels of hypocretin (orexin), which is neurotransmitter in the brain. This may be the reason for the deregulation of the sleep-wake cycles. The low concentration of hypocretin is thought to be associated with a loss of brain cells that produce hypocretin due to some autoimmune reactions. Whether other factors such as vaccinations, a trauma or injury to the brain, tumors in the brain, stress, an irregular sleep schedule, and abuse of medications or any other damage to the brain can result in narcolepsy, is not finally proven. The common symptoms include extreme daytime sleepiness (sleep attacks despite sufficient amount of sleep), cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone while retaining consciousness, triggered by a emotional stimulus such as joy or fright), hypnagogic hallucinations (hallucinations directly after awakening), as well as sleep paralysis (inability to move directly after awakening while fully conscious).
Lifestyle changes, called sleep hygiene, can help to reduce the symptoms of narcolepsy, for example: 1) a regular sleep schedule, 2) keeping the bedroom dark during sleep, 3) avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, 4) not smoking, 5) doing something relaxing to fall asleep before bedtime, 6) regular exercise. Individually assessed strategies like daily sleeping episodes or the avoidance of certain situations will help to handle the disease. In addition, medications might be used for the treatment of narcolepsy, for example, 1) stimulant medicines, such as methylphenidate or modafenil, can help to stay awake during the day, 2) antidepressant medicines can help to reduce cataplexy, sleep paralysis and even hallucinations, 3) sodium oxybate can also help to control day time sleepiness and cataplexy. It is recommended to visit a neurologist if there are any respective symptoms.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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