Main image via Kompas.com + Pinterest
Sometimes we get so tired it feels like we can sleep for days, but for one teenager, sleeping for days is part of a syndrome she suffers.
The “Sleeping Beauty” syndrome.
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Recently, a 16-year-old girl from Indonesia who was diagnosed with “Sleeping Beauty syndrome”, reportedly slept for over a week without waking up.
According to Kompas.com, Siti Raisa Miranda from the city of Banjirmasin, South Kalimantan, fell asleep on 1st April and only finally woke up on 11th April. That’s nine days in total.
The student who is more affectionately called Echa, was previously diagnosed with the unique syndrome when she was 13-years-old after her parents noticed that she would often fall asleep for days.
“The first time Echa was diagnosed was when she was 13-years-old,” her father Mulyadi said. “She is now almost 17-years-old.”
Image via Kompas.com
Echa even once slept for 13 days straight without waking up at all except to drink, eat and go to the toilet. Even then, her parents had to help her as her condition made her weak and drowsy.
“The longest she has slept is up to 13 days,” Mulyadi shared. “We were worried as well but we forced her to drink and eat so she didn’t deteriorate.”
The 16-year-old is the second of four children by Mulyadi and his wife Siti Lili Rosita, however she is the only one who suffers from “Sleeping Beauty syndrome”.
As Echa was often sound asleep for days, she would be taken to the hospital for examination. This time around, her parents tried alternative remedies to help her wake up too.
Finally, they brought in a neurosurgeon after Echa complained of pain during the short moments she was conscious.
“She complained of pain and even cried,” her mother said.
Image via Kompas.com
After nine days, Echa finally woke up but according to her mother, she was still very weak and could not get out of bed.
“Usually when she wakes up, her condition is still weak and not really stable,” Siti Lili said.
“Her condition will normalize itself after a few days,” she added.
After waking up from her long sleep, her parents helped her to immediately conduct activities such as sitting, standing and sometimes walking.
As Echa was still weak, she was fed fruits to help restore nutrition to her body.
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“Sleeping Beauty syndrome” is more accurately known as Kleine-Levin syndrome which is a rare disorder in which the sufferer experiences recurring episodes of excessive deep sleep.
Also known as hypersomnia, an individual with the diagnosis can sleep for over 20 hours a day, to days, and even weeks. They however are prone to exhibiting abnormal symptoms such as extreme hunger, hallucinations, irritability, and childishness.
Upon waking from their deep sleep, the individual usually feels confused and disorientated, with many feeling extremely weak due to the lack of nourishment.
Those with Kleine-Levin syndrome are able to live normal lives between their bouts of sleep, but they would need assistance, care and attention once the syndrome takes over.
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We hope Echa makes a full recovery from her nine-day slumber!
What’s the longest you’ve fallen asleep for? Know someone who loves to sleep? Share this with them!
Info via Kompas.com