Kleine-Levin syndrome is a periodically occurring disorder characterized by disturbance in periods of sleep and wakefulness. Its duration can vary from one day to 2-3 weeks. The patient wakes up for only a few hours, while behaving inappropriately and suffers from bouts of gluttony. This is a rather rare pathology, but with its unusual symptoms it attracts the attention of many scientists.
general information
The first mention of an unusual syndrome dates back to 1925. Willy Klein, a psychiatrist from Germany, described in detail several cases of “hibernation” among his patients. Later, in 1936, American researcher Max Levin supplemented his colleague’s information with five new observations of wakefulness and eating disorders. Soon, pathology got its name from the names of two scientists.
Kleine-Levin syndrome, despite its rarity, is highlighted as a separate disease among other sleep disorders. To a greater extent, male persons aged 15-25 are exposed to it. Only a few clinical cases have been described in adolescent girls . According to scientists, all of them are due to fluctuations in the level of progesterone in the body.
Main reasons
How does Kleine-Levin syndrome develop? The etiology of the disease until recently remained unknown. Thanks to the development of science, more precisely the advent of positron emission tomography, some of the assumptions of scientists have been confirmed.
Among the main causes of the development of the disease, experts distinguish dysfunction of the reticular formation of the brain and hypothalamus. Another predisposing factor is hormonal restructuring of the body, which is confirmed by the identification of pathology among adolescents of both sexes. A certain role is played by viral diseases, traumatic brain injuries, and an unreasonable increase in body temperature. Many patients have a hereditary relationship. The next of kin can suffer from the manifestations of such a rare syndrome.
It is impossible to say which of these factors plays a major role in the development of the disease. Most scientists agree that in the pathogenesis of the disease lies a certain genetic defect in the regulation of the function of the hypothalamus, which is activated under the influence of hormonal disorders in the pubertal period.
General clinical picture
Kleine-Levin syndrome is characterized by bouts of prolonged sleep (about 20 hours). Their flow is interrupted only by the satisfaction of natural needs. It is impossible to wake the patient at this time. Such attacks can last from several days to two weeks. The medical literature describes the case when the maximum period of "hibernation" was 42 days.
With every attack, sleep is not complete. A person does not rest, and after each awakening he falls asleep again due to lack of strength. When the episode ends, the patient feels a strong sense of hunger. He begins to eat everything that comes in the way. After satisfying the feeling of hunger, the patient again goes to bed.
What other symptoms does Klein-Levin syndrome have? Short periods of wakefulness are sometimes accompanied by excessive aggressiveness and irritability, hallucinations. When the exacerbation ends, the patient gradually returns to the usual pace of life. He may not remember the last few days or weeks, believing that he slept only one night. Outside attacks, a person looks completely healthy. However, against the background of uncontrolled appetite, his body weight may increase.
Treatment
A clear regimen for this disease does not exist for two reasons. Firstly, the exact reason for its development has not been identified. Secondly, pathology tends to spontaneously regress. Therefore, many doctors do not see the need for drug therapy.
"Hibernation" for several weeks, an uncontrolled feeling of hunger - these symptoms directly characterize Kleine-Levin syndrome. Treatment is prescribed if such disorders cause discomfort to the patient’s family. What drugs are prescribed for patients? As a rule, these are antipsychotics, tranquilizers and antidepressants. The listed funds are prescribed individually, taking into account the nature of the course of the disease. Dosed use of them helps to reduce the number of seizures, contributes to prolonged remission. It is advisable to use drugs only as symptomatic therapy. They help not only the patient himself, but his relatives to survive the painful period.
Forecast
Kleine-Levin syndrome, appearing unexpectedly, gradually reduces its manifestations. What does this mean? Over time, seizures become not so long, and the intervals between them increase. As a result, the disease spontaneously eliminates without leaving visible health problems.
To summarize
Now you know what the Kleine - Levin syndrome has. The causes of this disease are not fully understood. Effective methods of treatment are also not developed. Patients who have had to deal with bouts of prolonged sleep and excessive appetite, simply need to survive them. Pathology always ends with a full recovery. Currently, scientists are actively working on the issue of creating a radical treatment for the syndrome.