One of the very unpleasant and annoying conditions, which can interfere with the normal life rhythm, is insomnia. However, it becomes still worse if aggravated with some other disorders as, for example, restless legs syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder. By the way, these annoying conditions are in the habit of accompanying and intensifying insomnia.
Though these disorders are not that rare, very few people are aware of them, their signs, and available treatment options; thus, only some patients seek for medical help. Others either try to manage the symptoms by themselves, or confuse them with some other illnesses, looking for some reasonable explanation, or, at last, ignore them as long as possible, until the feelings become too troublesome to cope with.
Remain ignorant and suffering no more get to know your inquisitors and learn how to fight them. The information below will help you get the knowledge and do the first steps.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal unpleasant sensations in the legs, arms, and sometimes even in the trunk of the body. A sufferer feels a strong, almost uncontrollable desire to move in hope of relieving the sensations, usually described as burning, creeping, tugging, cramping, itching, pulling, "water flowing" or insect crawling deep within the affected body parts.
The distinctive feature of the condition is that the symptoms are the most intense when a person tries to lie down and relax, while any movement relieves them. As a result, people suffer from RLS in the evening and at night most often, which leads to difficulty falling and remaining asleep. The symptoms tend to disappear towards the morning, allowing better sleep, and during the daytime. However, the condition has a strong impact on the life-rhythm of the sufferers, as they cannot get enough of restful sleep, feeling instead exhausted and tired during the daytime. In the severe cases RLS may result in fatigue, nervousness, depression, inability to concentrate, and impaired memory.
RLS affects both sexes, though women suffer from it more often. The condition may be experienced by people of different age groups, even by children, who usually cannot describe their feelings properly, thus remain misdiagnosed or ignored. However, the risk of acquiring the condition increases with age.
RLS may be either primary or secondary. The causes of the primary disorder are not known, thus, it is referred to as idiopathic. This condition is believed to have a genetic form, since many patients report of the family history of the disorder. Scientists suggest that RLS originates in the brain due to the imbalance of the chemical dopamine. Nevertheless, there exist some other theories, none of which is finally proved for the time being.
Secondary RLS can be caused by many other health disorders, as iron and folate deficiency anemia, kidney failure, diabetes, uremia, Parkinson's disease, thyroid problems, peripheral neuropathy, pregnancy and certain medications (antinausea, antiseizure, antipsychotic drugs and some cold and allergy medications).
The situation for about 80% of patients with RLS is worsened by another problem: periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), which occurs only during the sleep affecting its length and quality. This condition is characterized by the periodic (happening every 5 to 60 seconds depending on the severity) rhythmic involuntary movements of the limbs during the sleep throughout the night. These movements involve the extension of the great toe and foot as well as flexion of the ankle, calf, knee, or hip. Rarely jerking of the arms, abdomen, and facial area is also observed. A great number of patients with PLMD are not aware of having the above described symptoms - more often a partner can tell a sufferer about them. However, the subjective signs of the disease are daytime fatigue and sleepiness, which are the most common complaints of the patients. Sometimes, though, the movements are so rapid and strong that can even make a person wake up at night.
The disorder affects people over 30 more often than younger ones, the symptoms tend to aggravate with age.
Similarly to primary RLS, the causes of the primary PLMD are not known. Secondary disorder may be due to the diabetes, spinal cord tumor, sleep apnea syndrome, narcolepsy, uremia, anemia or the treatment with barbiturates, benzodiazepines, neuroleptic or dopaminergic medications.
Both described disorders have no cure. The treatment is symptomatic. Methods, used for RLS and PLMD relieving, are usually the same: secondary forms symptoms are alleviated during the treatment of the main cause; primary RLS and PLMD have several treatment options. The medications used for this reason are: - benzodiazepines (Clonazepam/Klonopin, Restoril), - dopaminergic agents (RequipÂ, Mirapex, carbidopa/levodopa medications), - opioids (codeine, oxycodone, methadone, and propoxyphene), - anticonvulsants (Tegretol, Neurontin).
Moreover, a person can lessen the symptoms by avoiding the possible triggers of the disorders: caffeine containing products, alcohol, and the majority of antidepressants. A number of lifestyle changes can help cope with the annoying conditions: moderate exercising during the day, healthy sleep hygiene, massage, warm bath or applying cold packs to the affected limbs.
Ivanna
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