Narcolepsy is very different from sleepiness. It is a neurological disorder that causes the person to become sleepy throughout much of the day (much of the day, as in daytime and nighttime). It happens even though the person had enough sleep and felt rested upon waking. It can be caused by family history, problems in the immune system, or brain injuries. First-line treatment for diagnosed narcolepsy are usually stimulants. The nurse should anticipate prescription of medicines like modafinil or adderal. Sometimes, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants or GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) to treat symptoms of narcolepsy.
