Periodic Limb Movements In
Sleep
Do You Have Sleeping Problems? Is It
Caused By Periodic Limb Movements In Sleep? Read On To Find
Out The Answers.
Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS) is a symptom that
is usually related to another type of sleep disorder known
as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). However, PLMS is a separate
condition and RLS not necessarily be present.
Although the problem itself does not seem to cause or worsen
any other medical conditions, however, the frequent limb movements
can disrupt a person's sleep. As a matter of fact, it can
lead to significant insomnia, which can have bad effects.
It is for this reason that PLMS is considered a sleep disorder.
There are not many symptoms but they are usually obvious.
As the name suggests, the lower limbs of individuals with
this disorder move repetitively, for varying periods of time.
These movements are characterized as either sudden jerks,
or twitches, or a flexing of the foot upwards, only occur
while the affected individual is asleep. When this happens,
sometimes it can last for a minute or for many hours. When
one episode stops, however, it typically takes less than a
minute for the episode to repeat.
An individual may also have symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
(RLS) which will feel awkward feelings in the limbs. Those
with RLS describe these feelings as a crawling, or prickly,
or tingling sensation in the upper and lower legs and the
arms. There are usually no other symptoms for absent RLS.
And since the leg movements happen during sleep, the affected
individual may not even be aware of this condition. Ironically,
it is more often the bed partner who first becomes aware of
the condition since s/he is more likely to find out the annoying
movement of the bed first.
Until today, no one has been able to identify the primary
cause of PLMS. But, most of them do believe that the movements
have something to do with the way the individual's central
nervous system functions. It could also be caused by some
other condition such as diabetes, sleep apnea, narcolepsy
and anemia.
If a person experiences these types of leg movements when
asleep, and if the person also has symptoms of Restless Leg
Syndrome, a diagnosis of PLMS is generally suspected. If an
individual always complains about the constant fatigue for
which no other cause has been identified, a doctor might suspect
PLMS. To confirm a diagnosis, a doctor will suggest spending
a night in a sleep center so that the patient's sleeping patterns
can be closely and correctly monitored.
It is difficult to prescribe a treatment for PLMS because
its cause is unclear. There are several types of treatments
for different patients, some treatment consists of medications
such as Benzodiazepines that can help them get a better night's
sleep. There are also medications that can be taken to help
control the movements including anticonvulsive agents, dopaminergic
and GABA agonists.
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