People with this rare neurological disorder ‘sleep excessively, sometimes up to 20 hours a day, for weeks at a time’

While the information mightiness dependable similar thing retired of a fairy tale, its interaction is thing but whimsical.

Common symptoms of KLS

Dr Chandril Chugh, the manager of Good Deed Clinic and a elder advisor neurologist, tells indianexpress.com, “Kleine-Levin Syndrome is simply a rare neurological disorder. Its hallmark grounds is recurring episodes of hypersomnia, during which individuals slumber excessively (up to 20 hours a day) for days oregon weeks astatine a time.”

Other communal symptoms include:

-Cognitive impairment: Difficulty concentrating, confusion, and a dreamlike state.

-Behavioural changes: Irritability, apathy, and temper swings.

-Altered appetite and libido: Increased eating (often high-carbohydrate foods) oregon heightened intersexual drive.

-Disorientation: Patients whitethorn look childlike oregon detached from reality.

“KLS differs from different slumber disorders similar narcolepsy oregon insomnia owed to its episodic nature, associated behavioral and cognitive symptoms, and the agelong periods of normalcy betwixt episodes,” adds Dr Chugh.

Theories astir causes and rarity

Dr Chugh informs, “KLS is rare, with an estimated prevalence of 1 to 5 cases per cardinal people, perchance owed to underdiagnosis oregon the unsocial operation of symptoms that marque it hard to identify.”

The nonstop origin of KLS is unknown, but according to Dr Chugh, existent theories suggest:

Dysfunction successful the hypothalamus: This brain region regulates sleep, appetite, and assemblage temperature.

Autoimmune response: KLS whitethorn travel infections, implying the immune strategy mightiness mistakenly onslaught encephalon cells.

Genetic predisposition: Cases clustering successful families hint astatine a familial component, though nary circumstantial cistron has been identified.

KLS is rare, with an estimated prevalence of 1 to 5 cases per cardinal people, perchance owed to underdiagnosis oregon the unsocial operation of symptoms (Source: Freepik)

Diagnosis and challenges

Diagnosing KLS is challenging due to the fact that nary circumstantial trial oregon biomarker exists. Dr Chugh says that doctors trust connected objective observation, diligent history, and exclusion of different conditions, specified as:

-Neurological disorders: Epilepsy oregon encephalon tumours.

-Psychiatric conditions: Depression oregon bipolar disorder.

-Other slumber disorders: Narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia.

“Challenges see the rarity of the disorder, deficiency of consciousness among healthcare providers, and the episodic quality of symptoms, which whitethorn beryllium mistaken for intelligence oregon behavioural issues,” helium mentions.

Treatment and management

There is nary definitive cure for KLS, but respective strategies tin assistance negociate symptoms, according to Dr Chugh, including:

Medications: Stimulants similar modafinil oregon amphetamines whitethorn trim sleepiness during episodes. Mood stabilizers oregon antipsychotics mightiness assistance with behavioral symptoms.

Supportive care: Ensuring safety during episodes, maintaining a accordant slumber routine, and offering intelligence enactment for patients and families.

Lifestyle adjustments: Identifying and avoiding imaginable triggers, specified arsenic accent oregon infections, whitethorn assistance trim occurrence frequency.

DISCLAIMER: This nonfiction is based connected accusation from the nationalist domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your wellness practitioner earlier starting immoderate routine.