People have different types of personalities and habits. Have you seen people who sleep a lot, eat a lot, and have excessive mood change problems?
Some things are hormonal, and some are psychological. We think that it may be persons persanality that they behave like this, but medical examination requires knowing the root cause of the problem. Behaviour speaks a lot about the state of health. A dysfunction in one part can affect everything.
Kleine–Levin syndrome
Usually affects the brain and related functions.
It is a rare disease characterized by recurrent episodes of hypersomnia and, to various degrees, behavioral or cognitive disturbances, compulsive eating behavior, and hypersexuality.
The first case was reported by Brierre de Boismont in 1862. It was defined by Schmidt in 1990. He also established diagnostic criteria:
- Usually seen in adolescent males
- The patient sleeps more during the day (10-20 hr/day)
- The patient eats a lot more than the usual individual
- behavioural and psychological changes like confusion, slow thinking, memory problems, irritability, apathy, social withdrawal, hallucinations, delusions, derealization
- Sometimes, spontaneous symptoms disappear -Episodes last days to weeks, recurring periodically
- without any other neurological or psychiatric disease.
Etiology
- Usually, the cause is unknown.
- It can be due to brain dysfunction in the hypothalamus and thalamus, which help to regulate sleep, appetite, and behavior, which manifest into such symptoms as more sleep, hunger, and a change in behavior.
- Neurotransmitter abnormalities ( serotonin, dopamine pathway), which help in regulating sleep, hunger, and behavior
- Due to bodys self defense mechanism by autoimmune response or post-infectious trigger
Treatment
- No definitive cure available
Symptomatic management:
Management can be provided based on symptoms, which can help to correct sleep cycle, appetite, and behavior changes
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Supportive care (rest, safe environment, delay school/work)
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Stimulants (e.g., modafinil) → reduce sleepiness
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Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium) → may reduce recurrence
MBH/PS