Kleine-Levin Syndrome (KLS) is a rare neurological disorder that causes recurring bouts of excessive sleep along with a reduced understanding of the surrounding and altered behavior during wakefulness. Individuals with KLS may sleep for more than 20 hours a day. That is why it is referred to as “sleeping beauty” syndrome. This condition is more prominent among teenagers, but it can also occur in adults and young children. Though the exact prevalence rate is still unknown, it is estimated to be about 1 million people worldwide. About 70 percent of those affected are male.KLS symptoms do occur as episodes, which usually last for days to a few weeks or months. During this time, the affected people stop living a normal life. Persons with KLS may suffer from severe fatigue, so they may be bedridden during the episode. These individuals are not able to attend to work, school, or participate in other routine activities. Basically, they cannot take care of themselves. The episode onset can be associated with flu-like symptoms and are often abrupt.
In between the episodes, persons with KLS appear to show no evidence of physical or behavioral dysfunction; they appear to be in perfect health. They also may not retain any memory about the events that happened during the episode. KLS episodes can be on and off over an extended period, and sometimes they may last for ten years or more. Kleine-Levin Syndrome can occur with other neurological disorders, so it is sometimes difficult to diagnose. Some of its symptoms can also mimic other psychiatric disorders. It is therefore not uncommon for patients to be misdiagnosed. Below are the 6 Symptoms of Kleine-Levin Syndrome
