Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

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Periodic Limb Movements and Disorder
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Periodic Limb Movements

• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) refers to
  repetitive cramping or jerking of the leg during
  sleep that is so powerful it can wake you up
  during the night
• The same disorder can occur during the day when
  you are awake (PLMW)
• This night time version (PLMS) is more common and
  disruptive.

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Symptoms

• When you experience PLMD during sleep, you may
  frequently extend your big toe, while your knee,
  or ankle might also move rapidly as frequently
  as every 20 to 40 seconds for as long as 2
  minutes at a time
•  The pattern of PLMD can change from night to
  night so that one or both legs, as well as your
  upper arms, are involved.

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Causes

• The medical community is still unaware of what
  causes primary periodic limb movement disorder,
  although it is assumed to result from abnormal
  patterns of nerves passage from the brain to the
  limbs.
• PLMD is also linked to conditions such as Spinal
  cord injuries or tumors Diabetes or other medical
  conditions

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Common Conditions associated with PLMD

• Narcolepsy or the urge to sleep during the day
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
• REM sleep behavior disorders (RBD)
• Iron deficiency
• Anemia or low levels of oxygen rich hemoglobin
• Reactions to medications
• Withdrawal from medication
• .

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Diagnosis Treatments

• Benzodiazepine to suppress muscle contraction and
  sedate you to reduce periodic limb movements each
  hour. Variations such as clonazepam (Klonopin)
  are most often prescribed for PLMD.
• Anticonvulsant agents such as gabapentin
  (neurontin) to reduce muscle contractions.

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Thanks for reading !!!

• If you are experiencing symptoms of PLMD,
  please contact us online or call us at
  708-364-0261 to set up an appointment our sleep
  specialists.