Narcolepsy Teaching Plan Essay

According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke narcolepsy is a chronic brain disorder that involves poor control of sleep-wake cycles. Narcolepsy significantly influences daily activities. So people may unexpectedly fall asleep while working, studying, chatting, playing, eating, or, most dangerously, while driving or operating other types of machinery. Therefore, it is extremely important to help patients understand the pathophysiology of narcolepsy.

A part pf my teaching plan, I would try to help Mr. K. understand the pathophysiology of narcolepsy and how stimulants work to relieve symptoms by including the following teaching points.

Primarily, it is necessary to explain Mr.K. the possible causes of narcolepsy. Despite the

Narcolepsy Network, a national patient support organization, indicate the following common medications used to control sleepiness: Amphetamine, Amphetamine & Dextroamphetamine Mixed salts, Armodafinil, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Dexedrine, Methamphetamine, Methylphenidate, Modafinil, and Pemoline. Among the main stimulant medications, Modafinil is considers as less potent than amphetamines but having fewer side effects, and Methamphetamine is more effective and potent than amphetamine.

Even though the severity of auxiliary symptoms may differ during the patient’s life, once excessive sleepiness develops, it is chronic and unrelenting. In these terms of lifelong treatment of narcolepsy, teaching patients how to adjust their lifestyle in order to mitigate the negative consequences of narcolepsy on safety, performance, and quality of life is a substancial part of effective treatment. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke indicate the following behavioral rules for patients with narcolepsy:

1. maintain a regular sleep schedule—go to bed and wake up at the same time every