An Effective Drug for Sleep Disorders
Modafinil is a psychostimulant drug that improves wakefulness of people who have the following sleep disorders:1. Narcolepsy
This is a chronic Central Nervous System disorder that is characterized by inability of the brain to control sleep-wake cycles. Narcoleptics experience excessive daytime sleepiness. They can sleep at inappropriate times like while at work or at school, when playing a game, eating a meal, in the middle of the conversation, and even while driving a car or operating a machine. Because they have disturbed nocturnal sleep and an abnormal sleep cycle, narcolepsy is oftentimes confused as insomnia.
Symptoms of narcolepsy include sleep paralysis, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations and excessive daytime sleepiness. But this is a neurological disorder and not a mental illness. Scientists believe that the cause of narcolepsy is because of the low amounts of hyprocretin or orexin, a protein produced by certain neurons in the brain that is responsible for the control of appetite and sleep. The cause of the less production of this protein is still unclear. Narcolepsy might also be genetic. Conditions that can result to insomnia can worsen narcolepsy.
By taking Modafinil, it stimulates the production of hypocretin or orexin in the brain to promote wakefulness and suppress sleepiness.
2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Modafinil is also used for the treatment of this sleep disorder. There are several types of sleep apneas but obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type. OSA occurs when you breathing stops or pauses (apnea) repetitively while you sleep because there is obstruction or blockage of the upper airway. The obstruction may be caused by the relaxed muscles of the mouth and throat. When your breathing stops, oxygen supply of your body drops. The brain then recognizes the danger and you start to wake up but not entirely, just enough to adjust, breathe again and you fall back asleep. This cycle occurs as much as 100 times per hour. You may not be aware that your sleep is interrupted.
Symptoms of OSA are excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, observed episodes of breath stops while asleep, sudden awakenings with shortness of breath, dry mouth or sore throat, headaches in the morning and insomnia.
OSA can cause sleep deprivation and reduction to blood oxygen saturation. If not treated, it can eventually cause life-threatening health problems like heart attack or stroke. Other health problems include hypertension, heart diseases, obesity, diabetes, fibromyalgia, memory loss, insomnia, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and cognitive impairment.
Modafinil may not be the cure of OSA, but it can treat the symptoms of excessive sleepiness associated with this type of sleep disorder. Modafinil can also stimulate breathing muscles to improve respiration.
3. Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD)
This is a sleep disorder affecting people who work on different shifts, rotating shifts, or those who work at night. Schedules of this people go against the body’s 24-hour internal clock or circadian rhythm, thus, they have trouble sleeping. Insomnia and excessive sleepiness are the most common symptoms of this sleep disorder. Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating, headaches, and lack of energy.
Modafinil is given for treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with SWSD. When you are very sleepy, you can not focus, experience memory loss, and sometimes get very moody. Modafinil can improve wakefulness, boost your memory and brighten up your mood.