RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME
from the article 4 Sleep Disorders Solved
By Stephanie Schorow, Special to Lifescript
Published April 26, 2010
Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
What it is: It's a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when resting or sleeping.
Some people describe it as an “odd” feeling in their legs or an inability to sit still. Others describe a sensation of burning, creeping, tugging or even insects crawling inside the legs.
Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from RLS than men, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Causes of RLS: Its cause is unclear, but it seems to be related to iron and/or dopamine deficiencies in the body, says Schulman of Emory’s sleep lab. Women may be particularly affected because menstruation tends to deplete iron.
How to treat RLS: Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms. For less serious cases, a doctor may recommend hot or cold showers, using heating pads, exercising or massage therapy – all relax the muscles.
Severe cases may warrant anti-seizure medications and drugs that mimic dopamine, says Brigham’s Kirsch. Another effective option is iron supplements.
Several medications can aggravate RLS symptoms, including antidepressants, tranquilizers and non-prescription allergy and cold medications with antihistamines.
MY THOUGHTS
I cannot imagine it. RLS doesn't seem to be the usual numbness we feel when our legs stayed cramped in one position for a period of time. But if you have the slightest suspicion that you might have RLS, check with your doctor for an RLS specialist. Sounds serious to me.
Showing posts with label restless limb syndrome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label restless limb syndrome. Show all posts
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
RESTLESS LIMB SYNDROME
RESTLESS LIMBS
SLEEP APNEA
from the article "5 Common Sleep Disorders: Disturbing or Dangerous?"
By Laurie Sanchez, Lifescript Staff Writer
Published January 26, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D
Restless Limbs
This bodily behavior, called periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), mostly affects legs but sometimes arms too.
It’s often confused with restless leg syndrome (RLS) – that irritating, tingling feeling that starts in the legs as you’re trying to fall asleep and makes you need to move around. Many people have both conditions.
“There’s a common overlap,” Gromer says. “Patients don’t often come in to be treated for PLMD, since it usually doesn’t disturb them, but they'll want treatment for RLS.”
PLMD differs from RLS because it occurs only when you’re asleep, and movements – ranging from twitches to kicks – are involuntary.
Most people with PLMD don’t know they have it. The biggest sign is that they wake up with the sheets strewn about, says Hirshkowitz.
While these movements won’t necessarily harm you, “they tend to disturb a bed partner,” Gromer says.
What you can do about it: If PLMD is disrupting your sleep, or you regularly wake up tired, talk to your doctor.
Treatment is the same as for RLS: It includes taking iron supplements, since the disorder is linked with having a low amount of ferritin, a protein that helps store iron.
A doctor may also prescribe dopamine agonists (drugs that mimic the effect of the neurotransmitter dopamine), levodopa [also known as L-DOPA, a psychoactive drug that increases dopamine concentrations], sleep agents such as benzodiazepines and anticonvulsant medications.
Regular exercise, such as walking and nightly stretching, and limiting caffeine and alcohol also seem to help, Hirshkowitz says.
MY THOUGHTS
i'm so curious if i have the restless limb syndrome i'm thinking of turningthe video on while i'm sleeping.
SLEEP APNEA
from the article "5 Common Sleep Disorders: Disturbing or Dangerous?"
By Laurie Sanchez, Lifescript Staff Writer
Published January 26, 2011
Reviewed By Edward C. Geehr, M.D
Restless Limbs
This bodily behavior, called periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), mostly affects legs but sometimes arms too.
It’s often confused with restless leg syndrome (RLS) – that irritating, tingling feeling that starts in the legs as you’re trying to fall asleep and makes you need to move around. Many people have both conditions.
“There’s a common overlap,” Gromer says. “Patients don’t often come in to be treated for PLMD, since it usually doesn’t disturb them, but they'll want treatment for RLS.”
PLMD differs from RLS because it occurs only when you’re asleep, and movements – ranging from twitches to kicks – are involuntary.
Most people with PLMD don’t know they have it. The biggest sign is that they wake up with the sheets strewn about, says Hirshkowitz.
While these movements won’t necessarily harm you, “they tend to disturb a bed partner,” Gromer says.
What you can do about it: If PLMD is disrupting your sleep, or you regularly wake up tired, talk to your doctor.
Treatment is the same as for RLS: It includes taking iron supplements, since the disorder is linked with having a low amount of ferritin, a protein that helps store iron.
A doctor may also prescribe dopamine agonists (drugs that mimic the effect of the neurotransmitter dopamine), levodopa [also known as L-DOPA, a psychoactive drug that increases dopamine concentrations], sleep agents such as benzodiazepines and anticonvulsant medications.
Regular exercise, such as walking and nightly stretching, and limiting caffeine and alcohol also seem to help, Hirshkowitz says.
MY THOUGHTS
i'm so curious if i have the restless limb syndrome i'm thinking of turningthe video on while i'm sleeping.
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