Sleep Disorders and Leg Movement
By Mary Desaulniers
Fifteen years ago, I fractured my ankle. It required
surgery, the insertion of one metal plate and four pins. My leg was placed
in a cast and I was told to keep the leg suspended for at least 2 months.
Despite the hospital noise and light, I was able to sleep. But what I can
never forget is that my dreams were filled with running episodes and
disordered leg movements —me running up and down hills, even falling on the
uneven grassy surface. I could feel my foot jamming into a hole and the
movement of the fall would wake me up. Then I would lie in bed feeling silly
because the cast was so stiff that I could not even wriggle my toes.
I have since discovered that leg movements in sleep are common experiences.
They are normal spasms that occur just before we fall asleep. However, there
are other disruptive leg movements that are symptoms of sleep disorder
syndromes. People with Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, for example, are
wakened by involuntary rhythmic movements of the limbs during sleep.
Sometimes these take the form of twitching in toes and ankles; other times,
they involve more flailing and exaggerated movements of the arms and legs.
But the movements come in clusters, some lasting a few minutes, others more
than an hour. In effect, the movements are jerky and persistent enough to
disrupt sleep and cause sleep deprivation.
About 80% of people with periodic leg movement sleep disorder also
experience the Restless Leg Syndrome, a condition that affects about 10% of
the adult population in North America and Europe. Unlike the periodic limb
movement disorder, restless legs are most often experienced as “insects
crawling inside the legs,” a sensation which leads to an urge to stand up
and move around. You can be in bed, trying to sleep, but your limbs become
prickly or tingly and this sensation can only be relieved by physically
getting up and moving around. Needless to say, sleeping when you have this
syndrome is next to impossible.
Because our knowledge of these disorders is limited (the exact causes of
these conditions are still unknown), treatment is often limited as well.
Research, however is ongoing and much progress has been made in the last 5
years to define the nature and manifestations of these disorders. Here, for
example, are some new expressions of these disorders uncovered by research.
1.Both restless leg syndrome and periodic leg movements are common in
children with hyperactivity attention deficit disorder.
2.Both conditions seem to be more prevalent in the older adult female
population.
3.Neurophysiological studies also indicate that restless leg syndrome is
linked to irregularities in the spinal cord and brain.
4.Other studies have shown a correlation between the disorders and reduced
iron concentrations in some brain regions.
5.Periodic Leg Movement Sleep Disorder seems to be linked to predisposing
factors such as diabetes, use of anti-depressants, kidney disease, metabolic
disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and circulatory problems.
6.A great deal of attention is also focused on the genetic component of both
disorders. According to the National Sleep Foundation, restless leg syndrome
occurs 3 to 5 times more frequently in first degree relatives of people with
the same syndrome than in people without the syndrome. This finding
definitely suggests a strong hereditary component to the sleep disorder.
If you do experience these leg movement symptoms that chronically deprive
you of sleep, what can you do?
1. Some people experience mild cases of these disorders and seem to be able
to function quite well without medical supervision. Consult your physician
about your situation if it regularly deprives you of sleep and is causing
inattentive or careless daytime responses that require medical attention.
Your physician may be able to prescribe medication that can help you with
the problems. A study sponsored by Eli Lilly suggests that a drug used to
treat Parkinson’s disease, may be effective in the treatment of restless leg
syndrome and periodic leg movement disorder.
2. Use of electric nerve stimulation therapy applied to an area in the feet
or legs seems to be helpful as well. This therapy is usually done 15-30
minutes before bedtime.
3. Make use of home treatments for relaxation—such as meditation, yoga or
massage.
4. Avoid using alcohol, caffeine or anti-depressants as these may trigger
episodes of leg movements.
5. Seek information and resources at your local Sleep Center here:
http://www.sleepcenters.org/
About the Author:
Copyright 2006 Mary Desaulniers
A runner for 27 years, retired schoolteacher and writer, Mary is helping
people reclaim their bodies. Nutrition, exercise, positive vision and
purposeful engagement are the tools used to turn their bodies into creative
selves. You can visit her at
http://www.GreatBodyat50.com or learn how she lost her weight at
http://www.greatbodyproteinpower.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Desaulniers | 
