Restless Legs Syndrome & Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
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These conditions, which are also relatively common, may just be a slight annoyance to many, but in some sufferers have a huge impact on their quality of sleep. Restless legs syndrome is a condition of unknown cause that leads to an uncomfortable, creepy crawly, sometimes almost painful sensation in the patient's legs and less frequently arms. The sensation usually occurs when the patient lays down to sleep, and may be uncomfortable enough to cause them to move around, shake their legs, even get out of bed and walk. It may lead to great difficulty falling asleep.
Once asleep these patients may continue to have leg movements and jerks through much of the night. In many cases these are sufficient to briefly interrupt sleep. This is called periodic limb movement disorder. The result is often a less than restful night of sleep consequently leading to daytime sleepiness. This may occasionally be disabling. While we have generally thought of this as a disease that increases with age, we have begun to recognize its presence in younger patients and children. In some there seems to be a strong genetic component.
While the mechanism of leg movements is unknown, recent research has suggested a link to deficient body iron stores. This can sometimes be detected by measurement of serum ferritin, an iron binding protein in the blood. Low or low-normal levels should be followed by a trial of over-the-counter iron. In others, a variety of medications are available which often help. Currently the most popular group of medications include drugs used for Parkinson's disease. In addition, sedatives, analgesics (narcotics) and antiepileptics have also been used with success.
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