| Are you complaining of excessive daytime sleepiness | | | | With Restless Leg Syndrome, the person is aware of |
| or insomnia? Do you feel you haven't slept well? Your | | | | the creepy crawly sensations in the legs and will |
| problem may be not knowing what your legs and | | | | awake to purposely move the legs for relief. |
| arms are doing during the night. | | | | As with RLS, the cause of PLMD is unknown but like |
| Periodic Limb Movement Disorder or PLMD is | | | | RLS it is believed to be related to levels of the |
| described as an involuntary movement of the legs or | | | | neurotransmitter dopamine. They also share other |
| arms occurring during sleep. These movements occur | | | | factors such as an iron or folic acid deficiency, |
| at night when you are sleeping and do not actually | | | | neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or |
| wake you up. If you have a sleeping partner, your | | | | narcolepsy. Some medications like antidepressants |
| partner may be the one to tell you what you are | | | | and antipsychotics may worsen the disorder. |
| doing during the night because it may affect their | | | | These conditions are looked at as related to each |
| sleep as well. | | | | other more than the cause of each other. Persons |
| PLMD can be mild from continual movement of the | | | | with RLS may also have PLMD but persons with |
| feet or toes to more severe wild kicking and flailing | | | | PLMD do not have RLS. |
| of the legs and arms. This condition affects the legs | | | | Medication for Periodic Leg Movement Disorder taken |
| more than the arms and can have recurring intervals | | | | before bedtime can usually reduce or eliminate the |
| of a few seconds to a few minutes several times an | | | | limb movements during sleep. You should discuss with |
| hour. | | | | your doctor what the most effective treatment |
| This disorder differs from Restless Leg Syndrome. | | | | would be for you. |