Rare disorder causes man sleep to sleep for 300 days a year – All you need to know about hypersomnia

KEY STORY

• There are various rare disorders that people suffer from but only a few of us are aware of. Recently, the story of Pukharam, India’s real-life ‘Kumbhkaran’ surfaced and people were surprised to know about the unusual sleep schedule of this 42year old man from Rajasthan.

• Pukharam lives in the Bhadwa village of the Parbatsar division in Rajasthan and sleeps for 300 days a year. Therefore, the association of Kumbhkaran, the Hindu mythological character from Ramayana popular for his sleeping habits, with Pukharam seemed well suited. Although this may seem unusual, Pukharam’s condition is due to a rare neurological sleep disorder called axis hypersomnia.

  Hypersomnia – Symptoms and diagnosis

   

• The condition marked by excessive sleepiness and tiredness is known as hypersomnia. There are broadly two kinds of hypersomnia, primary hypersomnia and secondary hypersomnia.

• Primary hypersomnia may include narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, idiopathic hypersomnia, and Kleine-Levin syndrome. Secondary hypersomnia may include hypersomnia due to psychiatric disorder, substance or medication abuse, medical condition, or insufficient sleep syndrome. The common symptoms of hypersomnia are as follows:

  • Anxiety

  • Fatigue

  • Prolonged drowsiness

  • Restlessness

  • Low appetite

  • Low energy

  • Memory problems

  • Cognitive dysfunction

  • Communication problems

  • Hallucinations

  Some methods of hypersomnia diagnosis include tests and physical examinations such as polysomnogram, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, sleep record, and multiple sleep latency tests.

  Hypersomnia – Risk factors and treatment

  Although more studies are required to understand the risk factors and causes of hypersomnia, some probable risk factors may include head injuries, genetic predisposition, and multiple sclerosis (MS). The treatment of the condition depends on the type of hypersomnia. However, some common treatment methods may include:

  • Regulation of sleep schedule

  • Medications

  • Alterations in diet

  • Lifestyle changes

  • Avoiding the use of substances, alcohol, and smoking

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.