Kleine-Levin syndrome, also referred to as the “sleeping beauty illness”
is a neurological disorder. People suffering from this neurological disorder tend to sleep excessively regardless of night and day. The only time they may wake up is if they have to use the washroom or when they feel hungry. But when they wake up, their behavior could be altered, and also, they are in a state of confusion and feel completely lethargic after waking up.
Kleine-Levin Syndrome
Let us look at this neurological disorder that causes excessive sleepiness in a bit more detail.
Any person between the ages 6-59 can suffer from sleeping beauty illness. Although, male adolescents are known to suffer more from this problem. Especially kids and young adults between the ages between ages 10-20 are known to suffer from this problem the most. The average though, that many experienced this condition at was 15.7 years.
- Females usually tend to develop this condition at the age of 17.
- In the US, Caucasians are known to suffer the most from sleeping beauty illness.
Symptoms
The demographics aside, in people who develop this condition, as mentioned earlier, we see a change in behavior. While some people tend to act childish, some lose track of their surroundings and feel disoriented.
- Some do not tend to exhibit any kind of emotion whatsoever.
- Some do not tend to communicate and remain bed-ridden even if they are awake.
- Some exhibit hypersensitivity to light and sound.
- In some, we observe excessive craving for food.
- Women who develop this condition, tend to get depressed a lot.
- Some can stay asleep for days at stretch.
- Many become amnesiac unable to remember when they previously woke up.
- Bedsores can also develop in some, given the number of hours one spends in the bed.
- If stopped from sleeping, they can become violent.
As of now, there is no definitive way in which Kleine-Levin Syndrome can be treated. Although stimulants like modafinil, amphetamines etc can be used to reduce the sleepiness, sluggishness and the behavior changes cannot be altered. But then again, the disease is known to disappear by itself once the kid into his/her twenties. All one can do is be patient with the person suffering from the problem.
