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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: NARCOLEPSY
Description: Narcolepsy is a syndrome characterized by some combination of four specific symptoms that are, in effect, intensified versions of normal phenomena. They are as follows:
Symptoms:
- Cataplexy. This is a type of paralysis that usually occurs in response to some type of heightened emotion, such as anger, fear, or excitement. The individual does not lose consciousness, but experiences a sudden, temporary loss of muscle tone. Often only the legs and/or arms are affected. These episodes normally last less than a minute, and they seem to be triggered by strong emotions, such as intense laugher, fear, or anger, with an element of surprise. These episodes can look like seizures, but they are not.
- Sleep paralysis is the third classic symptom of narcolepsy. This is a phenomenon that occurs just as you are falling asleep, or as you are beginning to awaken, and you find that you cannot move any part of your body, or say something, even though you are fully conscious. Though temporary, this phenomenon can be terrifying. Sleep paralysis is not strictly limited to people with narcolepsy; many otherwise healthy people may experience it occasionally.
- Hypnagogic phenomena. These are very vivid, believable auditory or visual hallucinations. They usually occur just before you fall asleep or during a sleep attack and are followed immediately by rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, a normal phase that occurs during deep sleep. This phenomenon can also occur in individuals who do not suffer from narcolepsy, particularly in children.
Incidence: This disorder may affect as many as 250,000 Americans. It usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood and often eases somewhere around age thirty.
Causes: The cause is unknown. It is known that narcolepsy is almost never the result of insomnia or sleep deprivation.
Treatments: There is currently no cure for this disorder, so the focus must be on treating the symptoms. Making basic lifestyle adjustments – regulating your sleep schedule, improving your diet, increasing the amount of exercise you get, and avoiding overstimulating situations – may help to reduce the effects of excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Calcium And Magnesium |
2,000 mg. daily, at bedtime. 400 mg. twice during the day and at bedtime. |
Needed for energy production and the nervous system. |
|
Choline or Lecithin granules or Capsules |
1 tbsp. 3 times daily before meals. 1200 mg. 3 times daily, before meals. |
Acts as a neurotransmitter and is important for brain function. Lecithin is a good source of choline. |
|
Chromium picolinate |
100 mcg. daily. |
Boosts energy and regulates sugar metabolism. |
|
Coenzyme Q10 |
As directed on label. |
Promotes circulation to the brain. |
|
Free form amino acid complex |
As directed on label. |
Increases energy levels; needed for proper brain function. |
|
High potency multivitamin and mineral complex |
As directed on label. |
All nutrients are needed to balance body functioning. |
|
Omega-3 essential fatty acids (fish oil and flaxseed oil are good sources) |
As directed on label. |
To protect cell membranes. |
|
Vitamin B complex |
As directed on label. |
Essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. |
Herbs:
 | Siberian ginseng helps the body adapt to stress and
increases energy levels.
| Ginkgo biloba improves circulation to the brain and is
a powerful antioxidant protecting cells.
| Ephedra, gotu kola, and St. Johnswort boost energy
levels and possess antioxidant properties as well. | |
Recommendations:
| Eat a low-fat diet that includes plenty of leafy green
vegetables and foods high in the B vitamins such as brewer’s yeast and brown
rice.
| Eat foods high in protein (meats, poultry, cheese,
nuts, seeds and soy products) in the middle of the day. Save the complex
carbohydrates (fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, natural whole grains and
pasta) for the evening meal. High-protein foods increase alertness, whereas
carbohydrates have a calming effect and can help promote sleep.
| Avoid alcohol and sugar. They may seem stimulating
initially, but only make you tired later.
| Exercise daily to improve circulation and oxygenate
tissues.
| Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Take
scheduled short naps once or twice daily as needed.
| Ask your doctor to check your thyroid function.
Sub-clinical hypothyroidism (thyroid function that is in the low normal range)
may be a root cause of narcolepsy. | |
Considerations:
| There have been some documented cases in which persons who suffered from narcolepsy were cured by eliminating allergenic foods from the diet. One person, for instance, was found to be allergic to potatoes. When potatoes were removed from the diet, the patient’s narcolepsy disappeared. |
| There is some evidence that the immune system of people with narcolepsy may react abnormally to the chemical processes in the brain that cause sleep. |
Vitamin for Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
112-17 |
Calcium Oyscal 500 mg. with D Tablets |
2 tablets daily at bedtime. |
$5.75/120 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium 200 mg. caps. |
2 tablets daily at bedtime. |
$4.95/100 |
|
921-15 |
Lecithin 1200 mg. softgels |
1 softgel 3 times daily, before meals. |
$4.50/100 |
|
943-12 |
Chromium picolinate caps. 200 mcg. |
As directed on label. |
$4.95/60 |
|
946-12 |
Coenzyme Q10 30 mg. caps. |
As directed on label. |
$13.95/60 |
|
NS6ONS |
Amino Acid-free form 600 mg. caps. |
As directed on label. |
$17.95/100 |
|
982-15 |
One a Day Maximum Tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
971-15 |
Omega 3 Maximum Fish Oil softgels 1000 mg. |
As directed on label. |
$7.98/100 |
|
891-15 |
Vitamin B complex 50 mg. tabs. |
1 tablet daily. |
$6.95/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Smart Medicine for Healthier Living
By Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreen, M.D., James B. LaValle, R.Ph.
