It is thought that symptoms of Kleine-Levin syndrome may be related to malfunction of the portion of the brain that helps to regulate functions such as sleep, appetite, and body temperature (hypothalamus). However, researchers believe that in some cases, hereditary factors may cause some individuals to have a genetic predisposition to developing the disorder. The exact cause of Kleine-Levin syndrome is not known. However, episodes may recur later during life. In some cases, the symptoms associated with Kleine-Levin syndrome eventually disappear with advancing age. When present, symptoms may persist for days to weeks. An affected individual may go for weeks or months without experiencing symptoms. Symptoms of Kleine-Levin syndrome are cyclical. They may also appear confused (disoriented) and experience hallucinations. When awake, affected individuals may exhibit irritability, lack of energy (lethargy), and/or lack of emotions (apathy). The disorder primarily affects adolescent males. Kleine-Levin syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the need for excessive amounts of sleep (hypersomnolence), (i.e., up to 20 hours a day) excessive food intake (compulsive hyperphagia) and behavioral changes such as an abnormally uninhibited sexual drive. Stay Informed With NORD’s Email Newsletter.Find a Rare Disease Patient Organization.Find Clinical Trials & Research Studies.Launching Registries & Natural History Studies.A Podcast For The Rare Disease Community.Numerous other accommodation solutions may exist. The following is only a sample of the possibilities available. Be aware that not all people with cataplexy will need accommodations to perform their jobs and many others may only need a few accommodations. Also, the degree of limitation will vary among individuals. People with cataplexy may develop some of the limitations discussed below, but seldom develop all of them. For more information about how to determine whether a person has a disability under the ADA, see How to Determine Whether a Person Has a Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). Instead, the ADA defines a person with a disability as someone who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more "major life activities," (2) has a record of such an impairment, or (3) is regarded as having such an impairment. ![]() ![]() ![]() The ADA does not contain a definitive list of medical conditions that constitute disabilities. Cataplexy and the Americans with Disabilities Act Some of the most common limitations stemming from a cataplectic attack are weakened speech, vision issues, trouble balancing, upper extremity weakness, and/or collapsing. While a cataplectic attack is usually very short in duration and leaves no residual effects, there may be symptoms that would require workplace accommodations. Other symptoms may include balance issues, upper extremity weakness, and/or collapsing. Some people with narcolepsy can have cataplectic attacks almost daily, while there are some people with narcolepsy that have never experienced cataplexy.ĭuring a cataplectic attack the person will remain conscious however, the person may experience jaw dropping, which can cause speech limitations, or eyelids drooping, which can interfere with vision. These episodes tend to have few, if any, residual effects. Most episodes are short in duration, lasting a few seconds up to five minutes. Cataplexy by itself is considered a rare disease. Cataplexy is the sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone or temporary paralysis that is often triggered by extreme emotion, such as laughter or fear.
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