Symptom 5. When Sleep Takes Over: Navigating the Sleep Disorder
One of the more prominent symptoms of African Trypanosomiasis is its profound effect on sleep. The infection triggers a debilitating sleep disorder characterized by a reversal of the sleep-wake cycle. This neurological symptom usually appears in the second phase of the disease, often earning African Trypanosomiasis its alternate name – African Sleeping Sickness.
The culprit behind this disruption of the sleep-wake cycle is the Trypanosoma brucei parasite’s invasion into the central nervous system. Once it breaches the blood-brain barrier, it starts to interfere with the brain’s normal functioning. This interference impacts the regulation of sleep, leading to bouts of sleepiness during the day and wakefulness at night.
It’s not just the inversion of the sleep-wake cycle that’s concerning. The patient might also experience fragmented sleep, filled with short periods of intense dreaming. This broken sleep pattern can lead to significant physical and emotional distress, adversely impacting the patient’s quality of life.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Understanding this symptom provides valuable insight into the brain’s functioning and how a parasitic infection can disrupt it. It opens doors for fascinating research and targeted treatment strategies that could potentially alter the course of African Trypanosomiasis. (5)
