Volume I, Issue 2

Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep Overview Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) ; May cause involuntary and restless leg syndrome (RLS) are jerking of the limbs distinct disorders, but often occur during sleep and simultaneously. Both PLMD and RLS are sometimes during also called (nocturnal) myoclonus, which wakefulness describes frequent or involuntary muscle spasms. Periodic limb movement was If you do have restless legs formally described first in the 1950s, and, syndrome (RLS), you are not alone. Up to Occupy your mind. Keeping your by the 1970s, it was listed as a potential 8% of the US population may have this mind actively engaged may lessen cause of insomnia. In addition to producing neurologic condition. Many people have a your symptoms of RLS. Find an similar symptoms, PLMD and RLS are mild form of the disorder, but RLS severely activity that you enjoy to help you treated similarly. affects the lives of millions of individuals. through those times when your symptoms are particularly What is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)? Living with RLS involves developing troublesome. Restless Legs Syndrome is an coping strategies that work for you. Here overwhelming urge to move the legs are some of our favorites. Rise to new levels. You may be more usually caused by uncomfortable or comfortable if you elevate your unpleasant sensations in the legs. It may Talk about RLS. Sharing information desktop or bookstand to a height that appear as a creepy crawly type of sensation about RLS will help your family will allow you to stand while you work or a tingling sensation. The sensations have members, friends, and coworkers or read. the following features: understand when they see you pacing the halls at night, standing at the back Stretch out your day. Begin and end your day with stretching exercises or ; Occur during periods of inactivity of the theater, or walking to the water cooler many times throughout the day. gentle massage. ; Become more sensitive in the Don’t fight it. If you attempt to Help others. Support groups bring evening and at night suppress the urge to move, you may together family members and people find that your symptoms only get with RLS. By participating in a group, ; Are relieved by movement of the worse. Get out of bed. Find an activity you not only help yourself, but your limb that takes your mind off of your legs. insights may help someone else. Stop frequently when traveling. ; Often cause difficulty staying or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder falling asleep, which leads to Keep a sleep diary. Keep track of the Periodic limb movement disorder affects feelings of daytime tiredness or medications and strategies that help or people only during sleep. The condition is fatigue hinder your battle with RLS, and share characterized by behavior ranging from this information with your healthcare shallow, continual movement of the ankle provider. or toes, to wild and strenuous kicking and flailing of the legs and arms. Furthermore, abdominal, oral, and nasal movement sometimes accompanies PLMD. Movement of the legs is more typical than movement of the arms in cases of PLMD. Movements typically occur for 0.5 to 10 seconds, in intervals separated by five to 90 seconds. In 1979, the Association of Sleep Disorder Today, these parameters are a bit more The incidence of PLMD increases with Centers (ASDC) set the parameters for relaxed, and PLMD usually includes any age. It is estimated to occur in 5% of people determining the presence of PLMD: repetitive, involuntary movement during age 30 to 50 and in 44% of people over the the night. These limb movements usually age of 65. As many as 12.2% of patients A formal diagnosis of nocturnal occur in deep stage two sleep, but often suffering from insomnia and 3.5% of myoclonus (PLMD) requires three cause arousal. Thus, PLMD can cause poor patients suffering from excessive daytime periods during the night, lasting from sleep, which may lead to sleep maintenance sleepiness may experience PLMD. a few minutes to an hour or more, each insomnia and/or excessive daytime containing at least 30 movements sleepiness. followed by partial arousal or awakening. (ASDC 1979) Frequently Asked Questions How can I find a healthcare provider who the disorder. You may find that walking, aware of all the medicines you are taking, treats RLS? stretching, taking a hot or cold bath, massaging including herbal and over-the-counter You have several options to find a healthcare your affected limb, applying hot or cold packs, medications. provider to treat your RLS. First, the RLS using vibration, performing acupressure, and Foundation does have a physician-referral practicing relaxation techniques (such as Are there any substances that should be program . You can find more information biofeedback, meditation, or yoga) may help avoided? about this program on their website. reduce or relieve your symptoms. You may also The use of caffeine often intensifies RLS www.RLS.org find that keeping your mind actively engaged symptoms. Caffeine-containing products, through activities such as reading a gripping including chocolate and caffeinated Second, support-group leaders are often novel, performing intricate needlework, or beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft familiar with the names and addresses of playing video games helps during times that you drinks should be avoided. The consumption healthcare providers who treat RLS in their must stay seated, such as when you are of alcohol also increases the span or intensity area. Please visit the RLS Foundation list of traveling. of symptoms for most individuals. support group leaders to find the one closest to you. In addition, each of the support groups Is it possible to have RLS in other areas of Do I need any tests to diagnose RLS? works with a physician adviser. the body? After ruling out other medical conditions as Yes, RLS can affect the arms or even the trunk. the cause of your symptoms, your healthcare Third, you can contact your local medical One publication even noted RLS symptoms that provider can make the diagnosis of RLS by society or ask your own healthcare provider occurred in a patient’s face. listening to your description of the sensations. to give you a referral to someone who No laboratory test confirms your diagnosis specializes in treating RLS. Though primary- Can taking vitamin or mineral supplements of RLS; however, a thorough examination, care physicians are capable of diagnosing help my RLS? including necessary laboratory tests, can and treating RLS, until we can fulfill our goal If an underlying iron or vitamin deficiency is reveal temporary disorders, such as iron of creating universal awareness, neurologists found to be the cause of your restless legs, deficiency, that may be associated with RLS. and specialists in sleep medicine seem to be supplementing with iron, vitamin B or folate (as Some people (including those with PLMS and the physicians who know the most about indicated) may reduce or even alleviate your without the abnormal limb sensations of RLS) RLS. The American Medical Association symptoms. Because the use of even moderate will require an overnight testing of sleep to provides a physician locator program called amounts of some minerals (such as iron, detrmine other causes of the sleep On-line Doctor Finder . You can search this magnesium, potassium, and calcium) can disturbance. database by either your location or the impair your body’s ability to use other minerals physician’s specialty. or can cause toxicity, you should use mineral Is RLS hereditary? supplements only on the advice of your RLS often runs in families. Researchers are What are the newest treatments for RLS? healthcare provider. currently looking for the gene or genes that No drugs have been approved by the U.S. may be responsible for RLS. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the Are there any medications that can make treatment of RLS. Several drugs approved RLS worse? Is there a known cause for RLS? for other conditions have undergone clinical Yes. These drugs include calcium-channel Research into the cause of RLS is ongoing studies in RLS and are found to be helpful. blockers (used to treat high blood pressure and and answers are limited. The type of RLS Our Medical Bulletin contains the latest heart conditions), Reglan (metoclopramide), that runs in families is known as primary or treatment information. most antinausea medications, some cold and familial RLS. The syndrome can also appear allergy medications, major tranquilizers as a result of another condition, which What non-drug treatments are (including haloperidol and phenothiazines), and worsens the underlying RLS. If you have no recommended for RLS? the antiseizure medication, phenytoin. One family history of RLS and no underlying or Self-directed activities that counteract your report indicates that medications used to treat associated conditions causing the disorder, sensations of RLS appear to be very effective, depression increase the symptoms of RLS. your RLS is said to be idiopathic, meaning although temporary, solutions to managing Always be sure that your healthcare provider is without a known cause.