Sleep is often treated as optional in modern life—but science tells a different story. As Kenya navigates rising health challenges, workplace fatigue, and student burnout, sleep health deserves a place in national public health conversations. This World Sleep Day, the Narcolepsy Africa Foundation brings together experts to explore why sleep matters for schools, workplaces, and overall wellbeing.
Category Archives: Understanding Narcolepsy
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As Global Week for Action on NCDs 2025 approaches, we call for leadership in recognizing narcolepsy and sleep health within national NCD policies. The 2025 theme—Time to Lead—is a timely call to action.
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Explore safety tips for drivers with narcolepsy, including naps, co-drivers, and getting a disability sticker to ensure safer journeys.
The consequences of narcolepsy may be many and far-reaching. Cataplexy may interfere with physical activities, and efforts to avoid emotions may lead to social withdrawal. Sleep attacks and cataplexy in public are embarrassing and can cause serious social difficulties. Inability to work and/or drive may result in loss of independence, financial difficulties and various other problems. In these situations, a person can easily lose…
In Kenya, diagnosis is normally done by undergoing Electroencephalography (EEG) which monitors brain waves, a specialist will analyse your test results to determine whether you have normal brain wave activity, breathing patterns, and muscle and eye movement. Read more about EEG Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is often the first symptom to appear, and, for some, the primary symptom of narcolepsy. However, EDS is…
Narcolepsy has no cure The goal is to decrease EDS and reduce occurrences of cataplexy using minimal medication, EDS and cataplexy must be treated separately. Traditionally, central nervous system stimulants (i.e., Ritalin, Dexedrine, etc.) have been used for EDS. In 1999, Provigil (Modafinil) was the first stimulant approved for treatment of EDS associated with narcolepsy. Nuvigil, a longer-acting formulation of modafinil, has…
Sleep paralysis occurs in about 60 percent of narcolepsy patient. It usually occurs when the patient is falling asleep or waking up. The person is conscious but move or speak, Episodes can last a few seconds or several minutes. They can cause panic in a patient if he or she is nor familiar with this,…
Automatic behavior involves patients seeming to “falling asleep” while they are awake. They may perform routine tasks and not remember them afterward. They may also jump from topic to topic while speaking, or suddenly stop talking in the middle of a conversation.
Narcolepsy patients do not fit any specific profile. The disorder is found in all types of people around the world. Males and females, have it in equal numbers. Although there is a genetic component to narcolepsy, most narcolepsy patients have no known relative with the disorder. Research has found that if a person. has certain…
Many people don’t understand narcolepsy. Some may think your sleepiness is due to laziness or lack of attention. Others may think falling asleep during the day is not a big problem. But Narcolepsy is a serious medical disorder that can affect you in many ways. It can keep you from getting the nighttime sleep your…
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