ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Man Sleeps For 300 Days A Year Due To Rare Disorder

Man Sleeps For 300 Days A Year Due To Rare Disorder

Life is tiring, and especially so for this man

Trial User2

Trial User2

A 42-year-old man from the Nagaur District of Rajasthan in India has been diagnosed with a condition that sees him sleep for 300 days a year.

Pukhram, a resident of the Bhadwa village, suffers from a rare disorder called Axis Hypersomnia, which causes him to sleep for up to 25 days at a time once he closes his eyes.

This has seen him dubbed a real-life 'Kumbhkarna' - a mythical character from the ancient Indian scripture Rāmāyana who is known for sleeping uninterrupted for six months.

His family say it's a real struggle looking after him.
His family say it's a real struggle looking after him.

Pukhram has suffered from HPA Axis Hypersomnia for more than 23 years, according to Republic World.

The publication claims that a nap can see him sleep for up to 25 days as a result of the condition, which is named after the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the brain - the part that controls the body's reaction to stress.

Pukhram's condition also reportedly causes fluctuations in and changes to the protein of the brain known as TNF-Alpha, which is important for cell signalling - the basis for development, tissue repair, immunity and more - but crucially plays a role in how we sleep.

The disorder means Pukhram is unable to operate his grocery shop for any more than five days a month. His family say it's a real struggle looking after him.

"Initially, he used to sleep for over 5 to 7 days in one go," one family member told Asian news agency ANI (via India Today).

"Worried about this, we sought medical help, but his disease could not be cured.

"Gradually, his condition aggravated and his periods of sleep increased and now he sleeps for 20-25 days a month."

Pukhram has suffered with the condition for more than 23 years.
Pukhram has suffered with the condition for more than 23 years.

Treatments include antidepressants and staying clear from alcohol and non-prescription drugs, which Dr Pradeep Mahajan, a regenerative medical researcher in Mumbai, told The Indian Express 'can interfere with your sleep'.

Causes include other sleep disorders, head injuries and drug and alcohol abuse. However, one leading physician believes it is rooted in psychology.

"If a person has suffered a head injury or a chronic tumour in the past, then this condition can occur," Dr Birma Ram Jangid, a physician from Rajasthan, told ANI.

"The condition has only been seen as a psychological disorder in books or medical science.

"It is possible to treat this condition by diagnosing it at the earliest."

With greater research into this disease than ever before, Pukhram's family will hope a better night's sleep is just around the corner for them all.

Copy: James Aldred

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Interesting, Sleep, Health, India