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Oversleeping Beauty
Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS), commonly referred to as “sleeping beauty syndrome”, is a rare disorder that can leave you bedridden. Scientists estimate that the syndrome manifests in 1 to 5 people out of every million. To this day, the exact cause remains unknown.
People with “sleeping beauty syndrome” will experience periods of excessive sleepiness. In some cases, up to 20 hours a day are spent sleeping, while others may get up to use the bathroom and eat, then go back to sleep. Episodes can be on and off over an extended period of time. They may keep recurring as long as 10 years. A girl in Colombia reportedly drops into her extensive slumbers and loses her memory; after one 48-day episode, she temporarily forgot her own mother’s face.
Some doctors believe that certain factors can increase your risk for this condition. KLS may arise from an injury in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls sleep, appetite, and body temperature, from falling and hitting your head. Others are found developing KLS after an infection like the flu.
Researchers also believe that KLS may be a type of autoimmune disorder, which happens when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissue. Some incidents of KLS may also be genetic. There are cases where the disorder affects more than one person in a family.
The “sleeping beauty syndrome” is a disorder difficult to diagnose because it can mimic psychiatric symptoms leading to misdiagnosis accordingly. Your doctor may have to conduct a series of accurate tests. This may include blood work, a sleep study, and a CT scan or MRI of your head to rule out the other health conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, tumors, inflammation, infections, other sleep disorders, and neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis.
In addition, excessive sleepiness is also a characteristic of depression. Your doctor may suggest a mental health evaluation to assess whether the symptoms are due to severe depression or another mood disorder. The treatment must be under the doctor’s strict care to prevent a medication error. Stimulant pills are an option for treating KLS to promote wakefulness and reducing sleepiness effectively. Medications that treat mood disorders may also be beneficial.
Despite the Disney princess’ nametag, about 70% of KLS cases occur in adolescent males. If your child is an extreme sleepyhead, be wise to monitor other KLS-triggered episodes; namely, hallucinations, disorientation, irritability, childish behavior, increased appetite and excessive sex drive. This may result from reduced blood flow to parts of the brain during an episode. Don’t be quick to judge that your child doesn’t want to go to school or is lazy.
Source: http://www.livescience.com, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu
