Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Caffeine can help people with narcolepsy stay awake, while naps can be useful in managing sleepiness.

Doctors diagnose narcolepsy using sleep studies like polysomnography and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) to measure how quickly a person falls asleep during the day.

Hormonal changes, such as those during the menstrual cycle, can affect narcolepsy symptoms in women, potentially influencing sleep patterns and cataplexy.

Narcolepsy can make it hard to stay awake and focused, affecting how well someone does in school or at work.

Narcolepsy is closely linked to REM sleep because people with narcolepsy often enter REM sleep much faster than usual, leading to symptoms like sudden muscle weakness and daytime sleepiness.

Yes, narcolepsy can be hereditary, meaning it can run in families. Certain genes can make some people more likely to have narcolepsy.

Plaque psoriasis is not contagious—you can’t catch it from touch, sharing items, or close contact, because it’s an autoimmune, genetic condition rather than an infection. There are several factors to consider for managing symptoms and flares (like stress, infections, medications, and skin injury) and knowing when to seek care; see below for important details that could affect your next steps.

There are several factors to consider—see below to understand more. Thick, well-demarcated silvery plaques that are symmetric on elbows/knees/scalp (often with nail pitting or joint pain) point to psoriasis, while an intensely itchy, ring-shaped rash with central clearing—often on feet or in the groin—suggests a fungal infection; a simple KOH scraping, dermoscopy, or rarely biopsy can confirm. Because treatments differ markedly (steroids/phototherapy vs antifungals and hygiene) and certain warning signs change the next steps, see the complete guidance below for when to try home care and when to see a clinician.

Red, scaly, well-defined patches on elbows and knees are most often plaque psoriasis, but eczema, fungal infections, and contact dermatitis can look similar, and confirmation usually needs a dermatologist’s exam and sometimes a scraping or biopsy. Treatments range from moisturizers and topical steroids/Vitamin D to phototherapy and systemic medications, and triggers like stress, skin injury, or certain drugs can drive flares; urgent care is warranted for rapid spread, severe pain/bleeding, signs of infection, or joint swelling/stiffness. There are several factors to consider; see below for hallmark signs, risks like psoriatic arthritis and heart disease, an optional free symptom check, and clear guidance on next steps.

Early signs include well-defined red/pink (or purple on darker skin) patches topped with silvery-white scales, very dry or cracked skin that may bleed, itching/burning or soreness, and nail changes like pitting, yellow-brown “oil-drop” discoloration, or lifting. These typically appear on elbows, knees, scalp/hairline, lower back, buttocks, palms/soles, or skin folds, and can less commonly start as small drop-like spots or come with early joint stiffness. There are several factors to consider and important next steps (risk factors, when to seek care, treatment options, and a free symptom check)—see below for complete details.

Early scalp plaque psoriasis signs include well-defined raised patches on a pink-red base covered with thick, silvery-white scales, persistent itch or burning, and stubborn flaking that may crack or bleed; lesions can cross the hairline or appear behind the ears, and nail pitting can be an early clue. Unlike dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, the scales are thicker and more adherent with sharply bordered plaques. There are several factors to consider for distinguishing causes, triggers, and when to seek treatment—see the complete details below, which can affect your next steps.

Stimulants and wake-promoting agents both help people with narcolepsy stay awake, but they work differently and have different side effects.

Narcolepsy often starts with sudden sleep attacks, extreme daytime sleepiness, and sometimes episodes of muscle weakness called cataplexy.

People with narcolepsy can sleep better by following a regular sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine.

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that may be caused by the immune system attacking certain brain cells, leading to sudden 'sleep attacks'.

Plaque psoriasis typically appears as raised, well-defined patches covered with a silvery-white (or slate-gray) scale—red or pink on lighter skin and dark brown or purple on darker skin—commonly on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back, and sometimes the nails. It can itch, crack, or bleed, and there are several factors to consider that could affect your next steps; see below for important details on variations by skin tone and location, triggers, a symptom check tool, and when to see a doctor.

Brain imaging studies have shown that people with narcolepsy have changes in certain brain areas, especially those involved in regulating sleep and alertness.

Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle strength triggered by strong emotions like laughter or surprise. This happens because certain brain areas respond differently to emotions, affecting muscle control.

Sleep paralysis is a common symptom of narcolepsy, which is a long-term sleep disorder that affects how people sleep and feel awake.

The most common medications for narcolepsy include stimulants like modafinil and amphetamines, as well as sodium oxybate for managing symptoms.

Hypocretin, also known as orexin, is a brain chemical that helps keep us awake. In people with narcolepsy, there is often a lack of hypocretin, which leads to symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden muscle weakness called cataplexy.

Narcolepsy medications can cause side effects like dizziness, nausea, and headaches. It's important to monitor these effects and talk to a healthcare provider if they occur.

Parents should watch for sudden sleep attacks, excessive daytime sleepiness, and unusual sleep patterns in children as signs of narcolepsy.

People with narcolepsy suddenly fall asleep because their brain has trouble controlling sleep and wake cycles due to a problem with certain chemicals.

Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis—an immune-mediated skin disease causing well-defined red, scaly plaques (often on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back)—and itch is extremely common in it. It could be the cause of your itchy skin, but eczema, fungal infections, and other issues can look similar, so the pattern of plaques, nail changes, family history, and severity matter. There are several factors to consider; see below for key signs to watch for, when to seek care, and the full range of treatments and self-care options.

Natural supplements might help with depression, but their safety and effectiveness can vary. It's important to talk to a doctor before using them. See below to understand more.

Yes, some antibiotic creams can cause allergies, especially those containing bacitracin, which can lead to skin reactions or even severe allergic responses. See below to understand more.

Caffeine can interact with anxiety medications and might make anxiety symptoms worse. It's important to be careful with caffeine if you're taking these medications. See below to understand more.

Drinking alcohol while on insulin can affect your blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, so it's important to be careful and monitor your body's response. See below to understand more.

You can take supplements with thyroid medication, but be careful as some might affect how the medication works. Always check with your doctor before starting any new supplement. See below to understand more.