Sleep disorders can affect everyone in different ways. Whether it’s an inability to fall asleep, a problem staying asleep, or wakefulness during the day, these problems can cause health problems and even impact your performance at work.

Typically prescribed to treat sleep disorders, modafinil promotes wakefulness and alertness. While it’s used to treat narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, it’s also being studied for use as a “smart drug” that improves cognitive function in people without sleep deprivation.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, also called narcolepsy with cataplexy or narcoleptic syndrome, is a sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and other symptoms. It is caused by low levels of the brain chemical hypocretin, which helps control when you’re awake and when you enter REM sleep (rapid eye movement). To treat excessive daytime sleepiness caused on by narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea, and cataplexy, doctors have prescribed the wake-promoting medication Modalert 200 Australia.

The disorder is classified as either type 1 or type 2. People with type 1 narcolepsy have abnormally low levels of hypocretin and usually experience cataplexy—a sudden loss of voluntary muscle control brought on by strong feelings like anger, fear, excitement, or even laughing.

A doctor can diagnose narcolepsy based on a medical history, a physical exam, and tests that track your sleep patterns. These tests may include a sleep study and actigraphy, which uses a watch-like device to track your movements during the night and during naps.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common breathing disorder and causes you to stop breathing during your sleep, momentarily cutting off your ability to breathe. It can be a serious health problem that causes high blood pressure and heart problems and can affect your memory and cognition.

In addition, it can increase your risk of developing a dangerous arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. That condition can disrupt your heart’s normal rhythm and lead to a stroke or sudden cardiac death.

The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea involves continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses a machine to gently blow air into the nose and mouth during sleep. Other types of treatments can also help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as weight loss and regular exercise.

You can take modafinil by mouth with or without food, usually once a day in the morning. Talk to your doctor about the dose that works best for you.

Shift-work sleep disorder

Shift work is a type of work schedule that requires shift workers to work different hours than they normally would. It includes split shifts, graveyard shifts, early morning shifts, and rotating shifts 

People who work nontraditional hours are prone to developing a shift-work sleep disorder. This occurs when your body throws off your natural rhythm of sleepiness and wakefulness, also known as your circadian rhythms.

This can cause you to have difficulty sleeping and feel fatigued, even after a full night’s rest. It can also make it harder to concentrate or be irritable. Waklert Online Medications can help keep you alert during your shift and promote sleep at a time that’s appropriate for you. In addition to medications, lifestyle and behaviour changes may help with your shift-work sleep disorder symptoms. For example, Schiff recommends establishing a schedule for your shift and sticking to it even on days you’re not working. She also suggests taking naps during your shift breaks to give your body some extra rest.

Fatigue

Fatigue is an uncomfortable feeling of tiredness, lack of energy, or weakness. It can occur for several reasons and is often a sign of a medical problem.

Mental fatigue can be caused by a period of stress or a stressful situation. It can also be a result of poor sleep, which can make it harder to concentrate and stay focused on work tasks.

Physical fatigue is usually a short-term feeling that means you’re not capable of carrying out physical activities. It’s a result of the body not getting enough time to recover from exercise or physical labour and can be exacerbated by poor sleep, which means your muscles aren’t repaired well.

If you feel like you’re not getting enough sleep, it is important to talk to your doctor and get checked out. They may carry out diagnostic tests, such as urine and imaging scans, to find the cause of your fatigue and suggest treatment.