Rare Syndrome Causes British Teen to Sleep for Days at a Time
- Posted on July 15, 2011 at 1:53pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Two years ago, a bizarre ordeal unfolded for Louisa Ball and her family. The then 15-year-old girl initially came down with flu-like symptoms. While it seemed like a normal occurrence (after all, everyone gets sick from time to time), Ball subsequently contracted a rare syndrome called “Sleeping Beauty Sickness” (Kleine-Levin Syndrome). As a result of the affliction, the young girl sleeps — very literally — for days at a time. MSNBC has more:
Doctors don’t know what causes it or how to cure it — only that it strikes teenagers and goes away by itself after eight to 12 years…
…victims worldwide may number no more than 1,000. The victims live normally for weeks or months at a time, with normal sleep patterns and normal energy levels. Then, with little warning, they’ll go to sleep for days or weeks at a time. So far, Louisa’s longest bout in bed has been 13 days.
KLS stumps modern medicine and has yet to be successfully treated. Researchers claim that the disorder effects the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain responsible for regulating appetite, sleep and libido. Thus, the disorder triggers sleep, aggressiveness and hyper sexuality. According to ABC News:
Mood stabilizers like lithium and hormone therapies help those with KLS around the edges, but they don’t ward off the extreme sleep.
“[When I wake up] I’m always confused as to what day it is, because I don‘t know how long I’ve slept for,” Louisa said. “And then when I realize, I’m like, ‘Wow, that’s a long time!’”
While some outlets first began to report on Ball’s ordeal back in early 2010, ABC’s Nightline covered the medical dilemma this week. Watch the fascinating report, below:
This bizarre illness certainly impedes the young girl’s life, as she regularly sleeps through exams, family vacations and other important moments that most teenagers typically treasure. She and her family anxiously await the day when KLS no longer causes such saddening disruptions.
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Comments (63)
Jeffersonian in CA
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 4:14pmLike everything that starts in Britian, it will be here soon.
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 6:21pmShame on all of you calling this girl lazy and saying it is normal teenage behavior. People are always so callous until it happens to *themselves*. This poor girl is sleeping her youth away and I’m sure she is not happy about it- nobody would be. If you find yourself mocking this girl you are most likely lacking a soul.
Report Post »Iman Barak Hussein
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 6:54pmand on the bright side, it could be a weight loss sensation.
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:54pmsounds like any other lazy teenager
Report Post »Marengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:38pmMike… you are a total a**hole.. you stink like one too!!
Report Post »Skee
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:47pmSleep all the time, check, aggressivness, check, walking hormone, check. I guess I had this disorder, between 12 to 20 years old. My teenagers are infected and I’ll bet my 9 yr. old will develope this rare disease. I hope Obamacare covers this rare epidemic disease. They just described most of the teenage population.
Report Post »forthepeople
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:46pmGreat candidate for the ‘ Mars Mission Space Craft ’ !
Report Post »Kiddle
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 6:27pmCandidate for the Mar’s mission space journey, that’s funny!
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on July 16, 2011 at 2:10amThat’s not a bad idea actually.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:40pmI wish I had the metabolism of a snake. I would eat for a day, sleep for a day, and have five days straight of getting things done, 24/7.
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:38pmIt’s a syndrome? Well I never. All this time and so many years ago who would have thunk it. Back then we just called it a hangover. Partied so much one Saturday night it was Thursday before I got out of bed. Mom, if you can here me, I’m sorry, but I grew out of it.
Report Post »Marengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:40pmIt’s HEAR me idiot, not here me, freaking moron!!
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 10:52pmMarengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:40pm
It’s HEAR me idiot, not here me, freaking moron!!
—————————————————————–
Lighten up Francis!
Report Post »monkeybean
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:33pmIts called lazzzzzzzzzy. Everyone wants to diagnose a sickness for there kids. Throw some water on sleeping beauty, I’ll bet she jumps right out of bed.
Report Post »One Man Progressive Wrecking Crew
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:30pmShe’s a real live sleeping beauty….better keep Anthony Weiner and Slick WIllie off the guest list, they read this they’ll be over there begging for a visit to try and wake her up with those looks…”Why dontcha leave us alone to pray mom and dad, eh? I can wake her up I bet, I”m reeeeal good with youngsters!”…
Report Post »South Philly Boy
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:28pmDoes she wake up… Tired Of Sleeping?
Report Post »racooper3
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:25pmSure she isn’t just lazy teen up tweeting and FBing all night, sleeping during the day?
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:03pmI wish I could sleep for a couple or three days! But, poor girl. Just think, she might miss her prom or even her own wedding!
Report Post »Bernard
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:00pmThe first question that comes to mind is how does the body function without getting dehydrated? What about other essentials such as food and brain functions? Then I remembered that Rishi’s in the sub continent do the same.
Report Post »They with full intent go into long periods of meditation, usually practiced in the forests. No water or food is consumed and therefore no bowel movements occurre. Many a statue are carved with creepers growing on their body or ant hills doing the same. If they can do it without damaging the body then this sickness called “sleeping beauty syndrome” may not either damage the patient.
I_Hate_Libs
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:59pmSo far the only known people with this rare syndrome are Democrats.
The horror of the Democrat mind.
Report Post »dont tread
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:39pmshe’s hot
Report Post »softunderbelly
Posted on July 16, 2011 at 11:17amYes sir!
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:32pmI knew a guy back high-school that this happened to. Really freaked his family out. He eventually outgrew it.
Report Post »the_great_baboo
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:30pmtalk about “sh*tin’ the bed”
Report Post »maranamom10
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:27pmThis is AMAZING & evolutionary! That some ppl can sleep & not need to eat, drink, pee or poo for like weeks. This is what we need, some down time for our bodies. EVOLUTION people. Love all the jokes about the American ppl sleeping, funny!
Report Post »ooskerDoo
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:19pmAny booster shots administered 6-8 months before she became ill? Does it strike only girls? How about going on the pill to reduce cramping may have caused it – in other words, is it man-made or caused in nature?
What nutrients ISN’T she taking (veggies, fish oil, fruits) that can help her out? The fact that the brain is involved, and after a “flu like reaction” means something attacked her, and it’s trying to “reboot”.
I have a feeling since the MD’s are involved, that will all be looked over. Same way they overlooked Vitamin C and how that stopped scurvy…
Report Post »ishka4me
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:27pmdon’t think it is too rare, have two teenagers myself.
Report Post »dukestreet
Posted on July 16, 2011 at 11:21pmSome people are not paying attention: it strikes mostly males,she’s irritable and moody especially when they wake her up for eating and bathroom breaks. She then scarfs down food and goes back to sleep for days at a time. She is hard to wake up for the purpose of eating etc.
I have sleep disorders of the opposite variety and only get the first 3 of 5 stages without medication. I cannot move while under the effects of the drug and wake up in pain from being in one position while asleep. I wake up hundreds of times a night without the drug and only sleep lightly-no restorative sleep. It was particularly bad as a teenager when it was diagnosed. Eventually I had difficulty making decisions which was the reason I sought help.
I have no difficulty believing this, It is normal for teens to sleep 12 hrs at a time on a regular basis but not without waking up for normal activities at the end of the 12 hrs.
Report Post »Michael600r
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:13pmWhat a terrible thing to happen to such a lovely young lady.
Report Post »Slick Willie
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:09pmThat’s nothing…some Americans have been asleep for 2.5 years….WAKE THE F UP AMERICA!!
Report Post »IHATEMUSLIMS
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:17pmAmen
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:22pmAMEN Willie!
TEA!
Report Post »encinom
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:27pmlike the tbaggers that have forgotten about the prior 8 years, they seem as senile as their patron saint, Ronnie Ray-gun.
Obama_Sham
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:39pmOr like Encinom who has been asleep his entire life…
Good call, genius…
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:57pmOr like Encinom who has been asleep her entire life…
Did you say MONICNE, bagged a ****** ??………. NICE !!
Lets not forget, all you senile folks out there..NOBAMA 2012
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:38pmencinom, monicne, same difference.
Report Post »Geez, what kind of loser creates two screen names and spends time on a website that they don’t like for no pay (at least MMites get paid).
This_Individual
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:07pmI’ll stop complaining about not getting enough sleep now.
Report Post »I_Hate_Libs
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:05pm13 days asleep without food and water I don’t think so.
The horror of the Democrat mind.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:14pmThe fact that you can link the two things in your brain show how twisted and demented Beck followers are.
Report Post »I_Hate_Libs
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 3:00pmI guess you don’t eat or drink water?
The horror of the Democrat mind.
Report Post »Skee
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 4:02pmSorry, Bible qoutin science guy but there are atheists and agnostics lerking about on this site that are conservitive. We all understand human nature and a thing called logic. Alot of the science that you bow to has been corupted by govt. giving grants to scientists that fudge data( global warming) and pulls grants if the data doesn’t help the govt. agenda of absolute control over the people. Your lack of research and questioning shows your laziness and ignorance.
Report Post »Bible Quotin' Science Fearin' Conservative American
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 4:06pmas your assumptions show yours.
Report Post »Marengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 7:48pmDamn, Skee….. BQSFCA shot your a** down BIG TIME!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »GodsPuppet
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:03pmGod Bless this girl and her family. God Bless America
Report Post »krenshau
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:02pmSometimes I feel like I could sleep for days, and wished I could sleep for days, but never actually done it.
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 1:59pm“Doctors don’t know what causes it or how to cure it — only that it strikes teenagers and goes away by itself after eight to 12 years…” ———– Only strikes teenagers?!? Well, I think we have a diagnosis! It‘s called ’lazyassitis’, and it’s not a real disease. By the way, it strikes Obama supporters, as well.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:05pmGood one!
Report Post »Obama_Sham
Posted on July 15, 2011 at 2:41pmI was thinking this story was a perfect analogy of American youth today…
Report Post »Dabldo
Posted on July 16, 2011 at 11:30pmGee. We are all glad you don’t have that problem. My job was killing me. I’de come home , fall on the bed in my work clothes,not even cover up, sleep 12hrs get up and go back wearing the same clothes.
Report Post »Not everybody is you.
I hate the fact i need 8 hours sleep. Even did research into elecro-sleep to reduce the amount of sleep i needed. 2hours less per day is one year of waking life after 10years.