Have you ever heard of a situation where a person sleeps for more than 18-20 hours a day? Sounds unbelievable. Well, most of us need a good sound sleep of 7-8 hours to relax and restore energy. But there is a rare condition where people sleep almost an entire day, and still feel tired when awake.
This is known as the Kleine-Levin disease, a rare neurological disorder that can impact the sleep cycle and behaviour of a person. But have you ever wondered what causes the Kleine-Levin syndrome? Read this guide to learn all you need to know about the KLS disease.
What Is Kleine-Levin Disease?
Kleine-Levin disease, or KLS, is a neurological disorder. It is also known as the Sleeping Beauty Syndrome and is quite rare in nature. It affects the sleep cycle, behaviour, and even the awareness of the one suffering from the same. People who are experiencing Kleine-Levin syndrome can face frequent episodes of extreme sleep that can last for 18-20 hours a day or even more.
Due to this, they can feel symptoms like disorientation or confusion when awake. This condition is more prevalent in teenage males but can occur in females as well. Because of the excessive sleep, they face mood swings, appetite loss, and even changes in social behaviour.
It is important to note that between these episodes, they will be back to normal with no major symptoms. This is the reason why Kleine-Levin syndrome diagnosis is also not easy.
Kleine-Levin Syndrome Causes
The true cause of Kleine-Levin syndrome is still not clear. However, certain factors are assumed to be the reason behind this, which include:
- Dysfunction in your hypothalamus, which is the section of your brain that controls sleep.
- Infections like the flu can lead to KLS as an autoimmune disorder.
- Family history of neurological disorders.
- A head injury that impacts the hypothalamus can cause the KLS.
- Sudden hormonal shifts can trigger these episodes.
Kleine-Levin Syndrome Symptoms
Due to the nature of the Kleine-Levin syndrome, it is hard to diagnose. At times, the symptoms can go undetected for years before actually being diagnosed. But still, here are certain Kleine-Levin syndrome symptoms that can help greatly. These include:
- The person is sleeping abnormally excessive hours, like 18-20 hours a day.
- Finding it hard to stay awake or complete normal work during the day,
- Facing issues like disorientation or confusion when you are awake.
- Feeling unusually hungry or loss of appetite in between the episodes.
- Sudden mood swings like depression, anxiety, or even stress.
- Reduced interest in day-to-day activities like going to school or the office, and so on.
- Abnormal behaviour, hallucinations, or childlike behaviour is not good.
Kleine-Levin Syndrome Diagnosis
It is not easy to conduct a Kleine-Levin syndrome diagnosis. Most of the time, it is left considering that a person might be sleeping extra hours due to exhaustion, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis. But this can be avoided using the following steps:
- A detailed review of medical history, which involves sleep habits and behaviour.
- Complete and detailed neurological analysis to rule out brain injuries.
- Conducting Polysomnography, which helps in evaluating and analysing sleep patterns.
- Brain imaging tests to check for any kind of abnormalities that can help with the detection.
- A proper psychiatric assessment can help identify mood or psychotic disorders.
Once there is a confirmed diagnosis of Kleine-Levin disease, the treatment can be started.
Kleine-Levin Syndrome Treatment
It is important to note that this is a neurological disorder that still has no permanent treatment. Some of the most common Kleine-Levin syndrome treatments are as follows:
- Mood stabilisers and antidepressants to manage the sleep cycles and help maintain proper functionality.
- Psychological support, like therapy or counselling that can help patients cope with the effects of the KLS.
- Making simple changes in the lifestyle that can help with a proper sleep plan, sleep, and reduce the triggers.
- Proper monitoring and support with the help of the family members to ensure the safety of all.
By following the steps, Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) episodes might be reduced, and over time, the condition can be controlled naturally. As of now, the only known Kleine-Levin Syndrome cure that is available is the management of the symptoms. And with age, the episodes of KLS will likely occur naturally.
Conclusion
Kleine-Levin Disease (KLS) is a rare but manageable sleep disorder. It does affect the normal lifestyle of a person greatly. But since the causes are still unknown, at times, there can be delays in the diagnosis, which can impact the treatment.
It is important to note that there is no permanent cure for KLS. But, with timely diagnosis, proper medical care, and emotional support, most people gradually recover and regain normalcy. Awareness and understanding remain the strongest tools in ensuring timely care and a better quality of life for those living with KLS.
