Have you ever experienced sleep disturbances? Are you here for some information about extreme sleepiness and remedies for it? If yes, then you are absolutely on the right website. This is the ultimate guide to information referring to narcolepsy (a common sleep disorder) in addition to information referring to a curative drug used for the treatment of narcolepsy known as Modafinil.
Modafinil is also known by its brand name, Provigil. This is an approved drug Food and Drug Administration and widely used for the treatment of individuals with sleep disorders. The sleep disorder that’s best known is narcolepsy, as mentioned above. It is picked up by most students who tend to focus on their studies believing it will help them focus well. Even although it is simply used for treatment, this method really works.
Moreover, the latest study related to the drug Modafinil concluded by Ruairidh McLennan, lecturer at University of Oxford in England, explains that it’s used for complex cognition tests and is used to improve the thinking abilities of individuals with narcolepsy and vice versa.
In this article, we will explain about learn medication modafinil together with its numerous uses in the treatment of narcolepsy. We will explain to our readers what are the side effects of Modafinil and how to use them. Along with that, you’ll also find out about the alternative drug to modafinil. Moreover, we have explained the importance of lifestyle changes in our article to treat narcolepsy in a better way and reduce it from increasing.
But before we get started, make sure to check best modafinil vendor on the internet for more information on Modafinil or to buy the drug itself.
What Is Narcolepsy Basically And What Are The Symptoms Of Narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is a common sleep disorder characterised by extreme sleepiness. It is characterised by extreme daytime sleepiness or sleep paralysis which means the occurrence of deep sleep during the day. In some cases, hallucinations and episodes of cataplexy occur where a person loses some muscle control which is commonly triggered by emotions such as laughter, anger, fear or joy. Cataplexy means a person is awake but unable to move or function in a desired way. Sometimes people pass out during a cataplexy attack because it makes them lose control of their functions by weakening their overall muscle control. Cataplexy can occur at any time in a person diagnosed by it but mainly occurs during waking hours. People experience cataplexy when they experience strong emotional sensations.
Although cataplexy and narcolepsy are different from each other, narcolepsy is commonly accompanied by cataplexy and affects kids or adults more often. Narcolepsy that’s accompanied by cataplexy is known as type 2 narcolepsy. Low levels of a neurotransmitter called hypocretin cause the symptoms of narcolepsy to begin. Hypocretin is a chemical that regulates wakefulness and is assumed to keep the brain awake. Hypocretin is also known as Orexin. When the brain fails to produce hypocretin cells, it leads to the symptoms of narcolepsy. Some times Narcolepsy occurs without low hypocretin levels. But the reason for that’s still unknown.
A higher risk of narcolepsy occurs for numerous reasons such as environmental factors, stressful life events or coexistence with cataplexy which is awakened by strong emotional sensations. In addition, it’s also caused by a combination of genes, cells, and autoimmune disorders. Autoimmune disorders are one more reason why narcolepsy is on the rise. When the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells or tissue, cells produced by the brain begin to attack hypocretin cells. Those cells are known as peptides. Peptides are known to interfere with other cells.
To diagnose narcolepsy, doctors summarize the patient’s medical history and family history. Along with that, they considered the results of a test in which they checked for hypocretin levels. A physical exam is also essential to diagnose Narcolepsy.
Once narcolepsy is diagnosed, it can be treated with several medicines in addition to some lifestyle changes. As mentioned above, the most common drug used to treat narcolepsy is known as Modafinil.
Modafinil drug and its benefits
Modafinil belongs to the group of drugs known as stimulants. It is used to reduce extreme sleepiness and is used to treat other similar sleep disorders. Although narcolepsy is an incurable disorder, modafinil helps reduce its effects in addition to help control harsh symptoms. This helps keep a person awake during work hours or during the day which in turn helps with narcolepsy and the problems that occur with narcolepsy such as cataplexy.
Modafinil alters the patient’s schedule as it helps a person to get to a normal sleep routine. Because of the risks related to certain drugs, modafinil should only be used for the treatment of narcolepsy, but that’s not the case. It shouldn’t be used to reduce the sleep of normal people who aren’t showing symptoms of narcolepsy.
However, it absolutely improves cognition features for normal people who use it to enhance their ability to give proper focus or attention to a certain task or to learn and remember something. The researchers also say that the drug appears to improve the call execution function which is the ability to process information and help it regulate, control or manage human thought processes and actions.
Call executive functions are based on engaging planning, problem solving, verbal reasoning, cognitive flexibility, action monitoring, inhibition, and attention. But the drug did not help patients consistently, instead it made them feel a slight effect.
When do you need to take Modafinil?
As noted above, modafinil is primarily used for sleep disorders, but it’s also effective for increasing one’s focus and motivation. This is a medication like any other medication that’s swallowed with water and can be taken before or after food. It is generally taken in the morning so that a person can have a productive day or during the day when the person feels sleepy or dizzy.
The dosage depends on the patient’s medical condition, which is why it is necessary to take only drugs prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist. Reading medicine guides is just as important.
Modafinil tablets are available in 100mg and 200mg. Previously, modafinil was only available as 100mg. With the first few oral doses of modafinil, 100mg tablets are generally used. After a doctor’s prescription, milligrams increased to 200 to 400 as well.
What Are the Side Effects of Modafinil?
Along with the desired effects of modafinil, there can be some undesirable side effects of this drug as well. Although not every patient experiences side effects, it is necessary for each patient to at least know about them.
- Headache: If a patient has a migraine it’s advisable for them not to take modafinil tablets. Tablet intake will cause more migraines in addition to harsh ones. If you took the tablets and now have a headache, make sure to take your usual painkillers, for example, paracetamol.
- Diarrhea: If the patient has diarrhea, it is suggested to drink lots of water to replace the liquid and eat fruits to help relieve the symptoms. Often, participants are required to have an IV drip to recover from side effects.
- Constipation: The suggestions mentioned for diarrhea must be carried out with the side effect of constipation as well. Drink lots of water and eat fruits as they also contain some amount of water in them.
- Dizzy: While experiencing this side effect, it is necessary not to drive or use any heavy machinery. Rest after taking the drug is suggested. Or make sure to take the medication after you are released from responsibility.
- Stomach ache or indigestion: To stop this from happening, make sure to eat easy foods. It is important to avoid eating rich or spicy foods if one has an upset stomach.
- Dry mouth: If a patient has dry mouth it means his salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva. This may occur as a result of diarrhea or dehydration. Chewing sugar-free gum or candy can help stop dry mouth.
- Nervousness or Depression: Try calling your GP if nervousness, depression, or trouble sleeping occurs or becomes troublesome.
Alternative Drugs to Modafinil:
Armodafinil is a drug that consists of the same racemic compound that’s in modafinil. It was found that 150mg of armodafinil is similar to 200mg of modafinil. Both armodafinil and modafinil belong to a class of drugs known as eugeroics that provide long-lasting mental arousal. Although both maintain alertness and increase focus, this has shown that armodafinil is more effective in terms of attention than modafinil.
