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What Is Fatal Familial Insomnia?
Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) is a very rare condition that affects the brain, causing complete sleep loss and eventually death. The health condition is caused by a gene mutation that can be passed down to children suffering from FFI. However, FFI has only been found in 50 families worldwide. Fatal familial Insomnia causes Insomnia.
Fatal Familial Insomnia Symptoms
The condition was discovered in 1974 by Dr. Ignazio Roiter, who investigated a family with a history of insomnia deaths. The condition affects the thalamus, the part of the brain that is responsible for regulating sleep. Initial symptoms of the condition include insomnia, but progress to much more severe symptoms over time.
Fatal Insomnia Stages
Generally, the condition begins to present itself in those ages 30-60, but most commonly in those 50 years of age. The condition takes between 7-36 months to result in death. FFI has four stages of development. The first stage incorporates increasing insomnia, panic attacks, paranoia, and phobias. During the second stage, hallucinations begin to manifest, and panic attacks become much more noticeable. By the third stage, sleep is impossible, and rapid weight loss begins to occur. Finally, in the fourth stage, dementia sets in, leaving the patient unresponsive or mute until the patient dies.
Fatal Familial Insomnia Treatment
Unfortunately, researchers know what fatal familial insomnia is, but there is no current treatment for FFI. Scientists have tried some possible treatment methods, such as gene therapy, but the treatments have been unsuccessful. However, some evidence suggests treatments that focus on the symptoms can improve the quality of life for a short while.
I can't imagine how horrible it would be to slowly lose my ability to sleep and eventually die after months of agony and the very significant possibility of insanity. The worst part about this condition is the fact that there really isn't a whole lot anyone can do to help. Unfortunately, even after knowing how rare fatal familial insomnia is, I feel a cure won't be available for quite some time, but here's hoping that someone finds out how to fix it.
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