What Is Nocturnal Lagophthalmia?
Nocturnal lagophthalmos (NLL) is a condition where one’s body temperature rises during the night. It occurs when there are no natural light sources around us, such as candles or street lights. NLL usually happens in the evening and it causes problems for people whose bodies have not been used to low temperatures all day long. People suffering from NLL may experience fever, chills, sweats, shivers and even loss of consciousness. Some people suffer from these symptoms after only a few hours of waking up at night.
The cause of NLL is unknown but scientists believe that it could be due to several factors like lack of physical activity, stress or poor diet. Other possible reasons include hormonal imbalance and psychological issues such as anxiety or depression. There is no cure for NLL.
Treatment involves taking steps to prevent it from happening again. These steps include having a proper diet, practicing deep breaths, meditation, and avoiding stressful situations.
What Are The Symptoms Of Nocturnal Lagophthalmos?
Nausea
Chills
Fevers
Sweating profusely
Shivering
Muscle cramps
Loss of consciousness
What Are The Causes Of Nocturnal Lagophthalmos?
There are many reasons why someone might suffer from NLL. Some of them are listed below.
Getting older and age-related issues.
Not getting enough sleep at night.
Stress and anxiety.
Poor diet and nutrition.
Lack of physical activity.
What Are The Treatments For Nocturnal Lagophthalmos?
Treatment options for NLL are summarized below.
Get enough sleep every night.
Exercise and get some sunlight daily.
Practice deep breathing and meditation.
Have a proper diet and nutrition.
Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages.
Eat healthy and nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables.
Do not consume too much sodium, sugar, and fat.
When To See A Doctor?
If you think that your sleeping habits are becoming a problem or if you find yourself suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness, it is best to see a doctor. There are several steps that can be taken to correct any possible medical issues. The sooner the better.
How Is Nocturnal Lagophthalmos Treated?
There are several steps to take in order to prevent NLL from occurring. One of them is getting enough sleep every night. Most people need at least eight hours of sleep every night in order to remain healthy and energy throughout the day. Try to avoid caffeinated drinks such as coffee, cola, and energy drinks as they will keep you awake at night and prevent your body from resting. Other ways to prevent NLL are listed below.
Have a good diet and nutrition.
Get regular exercise.
Don’t consume too much alcohol or drugs.
Avoid staying up for long hours. Go to sleep as soon as you feel tired.
Have a healthy and stress-free life.
What Is The Long-Term Outlook Of Nocturnal Lagophthalmos?
Once the underlying condition that is causing NLL is treated, your condition should improve. If the treatment is successful, you will no longer suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness and night time awakenings. Your salivary glands and tear glands should also start functioning normally.
Sources & references used in this article:
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Sleeping with the eyes open by W Miles – Scientific American, 1929 – JSTOR
Sleeping with their eyes open: a guide to student staff training by KJ McRitchie – Proceedings of the 32nd annual ACM SIGUCCS …, 2004 – dl.acm.org
Developmental changes of oculomotor characteristics in infants when awake and in the ‘active state of sleep’ by JA Lynch, E Aserinsky – Behavioural brain research, 1986 – Elsevier
Artificial Bright Light Therapy for Circadian Rhythm Sleep–Wake Disorders by K Drybread, GF Parvis – Violence: Ethnographic Encounters, 2009 – Macmillan
The child’s theories concerning death by JL King, K Hunter – 2004 – Harmony
Empire and Islam: Punjab and the making of Pakistan by H Schotland – American journal of respiratory and critical care …, 2019 – atsjournals.org
