Describe your sleeping problems to your healthcare provider. Be prepared to answer questions about your health and family history. Try to keep a daily sleep diary for a couple of weeks. Record the times when you fall asleep and wake up. Also write down any symptoms you notice and what was happening just before the episode. A sleep study and daytime nap study can help diagnose narcolepsy. Your healthcare provider can help you find the medicine that works best for you. He or she will discuss any possible side effects.

A sleep study is done at a sleep clinic. Sensors will be placed on your head and body to record your brain waves and body movement. Your sleep will be watched all night in a study called a polysomnogram. You will also have a daytime nap study called a multiple sleep latency test. The results will help your healthcare provider to diagnose narcolepsy. Then your treatment can be planned.

Symptoms of narcolepsy may affect your daily life. But you can learn ways to cope at home, work, or school. Try these tips:

• Teach your family and friends about narcolepsy and your special needs.

• Join a narcolepsy support group. There, you can talk about your sleep problem. You can also share ideas about coping with your symptoms.

• Report changes in your symptoms and any medicine side effects to your healthcare provider.

• At school, tell your teacher or school nurse about your special needs.

• If you become drowsy when driving, pull over to a safe place to nap.

These healthy habits may help reduce your symptoms:

• Schedule short naps during the day. Planned naps can be helpful for reducing drowsiness.

• Keep a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and get up at the same time each day.

• Exercise regularly. But don’t do strenuous exercise for 2 to 4 hours before bedtime.

• Avoid or limit caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bed. Don’t take these for several hours before bedtime.