RLS and PLMS Sleep disorder Info
Restless legs syndrome is a motor (movement) disorder characterized
by uncomfortable sensations in the legs, which is worse during periods
of inactivity or rest or while sitting or lying down. Individuals affected
with the disorder describe the sensations as pulling, drawing, crawling,
wormy, boring, tingling, pins and needles, prickly, and sometimes painful
sensations that are usually accompanied by an overwhelming urge to move
the legs. Sudden muscle jerks may also occur. Movement provides temporary
relief from the discomfort. In rare cases, the arms may also be affected.
Symptoms may interfere with sleep (sleep onset insomnia). Research suggests
that restless legs syndrome is related to periodic limb movement disorder
(PLMD), another more common motor disorder which causes disturbed sleep.
reatment for restless legs syndrome is symptomatic. In most cases, medications
such as clonazepam, temazepam, levodopa/carbidopa, bromocriptine, pergolide
mesylate, oxycodone, propoxyphene, and codeine are effective in relieving
the symptoms. However, some medications may have side effects. Application
of cold compresses may also provide relief of symptoms. Restless legs syndrome
is a life-long condition for which there is no cure. Symptoms may gradually
worsen with age, and their most disabling feature is the sleep onset insomnia
they cause, which can be severe.
Periodic Limb Movement(PLMS or PLMD) condition is characterized
by the jerking of a persons leg (or arm) during sleep. Each twitch may
last from 1-3 seconds; about every 10-60 seconds. This may occur for only
a few minutes or last for hours. In severe cases, the twitches may last
all night. The movements themselves seem to do no damage, and some good
sleepers experience them without problem. However, if the twitches are
strong, or the person is a light sleeper, they can wake a person up. Because
they occur before the wakening, you don't know what woke you up. If the
awakenings are frequent, it can result in excessive daytime sleepiness.
No one really knows the cause of these movements; there are likely to be
a variety of causes. Sometimes they are related to certain medications,
poor circulation, a metabolic disease, kidney disease or folic acid defficiency.
There are some medications which have been used to successfully treat this
condition.
Research
I recently aggreed to participte in a study conducted By Dr. Bara at the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke ( NINDS
) in Bethesda, Maryland.
Here are some helpful links for information on these chronic disorders:
ABC
News report: "Restless Legs, Sleepless Nights"
Southern California RLS Support Group
Other RLS support groups
National Sleep Foundation
Other things that complicatate one's sleep:
Sleep Apnea
Frequently asked Questions