While narcolepsy itself cannot be prevented, the onset of its symptoms can be reduced through different techniques. To mitigate some of the symptoms of narcolepsy, here are a few tips and recommendations:
1. Try to avoid or minimize exposure to emotional triggers. Narcoleptics have noted a decreased amount of cataplexy episodes once they've managed to dampen strong emotions. Avoiding emotional or stressful environments can also lessen the symptoms of this condition.
However, some narcolepsy patients have noted that their fear of cataplexy episodes have also affected their social relationships, because of their inability to express feelings or emotional reactions during moments when they are expected.
2. Get adequate sleep at night. Excessive daytime sleepiness can be minimized when you get adequate sleep at night. Disturbed sleep or sleep deprivation can aggravate this narcolepsy symptom and worsen sleep attacks and microsleep incidents in the daytime.
3. Avoid sleeping in a supine position. Sleep paralysis is one of the symptoms that cause fear in patients. This inability to move is caused by the mistimed paralysis that accompanies REM sleep, which is responsible for stopping people from moving when dreaming.
Studies show that increased incidents of sleep paralysis happen when you sleep on your back. One of the tips given to people who suffer from sleep paralysis is to sew a tennis ball to the back of their pajamas to prevent them from changing positions and ending up on their back during the night.3
Explaining your condition to your family members, workmates and friends can also help in preventing injuries and accidents. Adequate knowledge about narcolepsy can help them recognize the triggers and assist you during attacks. It can also minimize fear and panic when these symptoms happen.