Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

I have had a few people email me about this sleeping disorder, so If you are looking for more information about Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) you are in luck and can find it here.

Overview

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is a type of a sleep disorder and is the only movement disorder that occurs only during sleep. It is characterized by cramping or jerking movements of the legs during sleep. The movements can be described as repetitive and rhythmic and may occur every 20-40 seconds.

This type of a sleep disorder can occur at any age and is more common in middle aged and older people.

Causes

PLMD has no exact known cause, but it has been linked that the nerves traveling from the brain down to the limbs are having abnormal regulations.

PLMD can also be caused by underlying medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, iron deficiency, spinal cord tumor, spinal cord injury, sleep apnea syndrome, narcolepsy, uremia, anemia, and some anti-dopaminergic medications.

Symptoms

People affected by this disorder are not aware of the leg movements. Only their partners may notice it. Most common symptoms that these people may notice are sleeplessness and daytime sleepiness.

Some of the common symptoms are:

* The knee, ankle, and the joints of the big toe bend during the movement
* Slight to strenuous movements- wild kicking and thrashing
* The duration of the movements can last 2 seconds and has an interval of 20-40 seconds

Treatment

There are no known treatments yet. So management would aim for the relief of the symptoms. Medications that can help alleviate the symptoms are dopaminergic drugs, antiepileptic and anticonvulsant agents, skeletal muscle relaxants, and opioids.

November 14, 2008 at 12:38 am by admin | Category: Movement (PLMD), sleeping disorders | Tags: , , , , , ,

4 Comments zu “Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)”

  1. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) | arthritisgolf.com
    11-14-2008 @ 15:35

    [...] Excerpt from [...]


  2. lilymom24
    11-15-2008 @ 13:09

    Is this considered a neurological disorder? I ask because some of the symptoms included rhythmic movements which is commone with seizure type disorders and its mentioned that PLMD is sometimes treated with anticonvulsants. I am guessing PLMD is mostly confined to the legs? Not arms as well? It would be interesting to see what an EEG would show in a person with PLMD.


  3. hoygirl
    11-16-2008 @ 16:43

    My husband has recently started to do this with his legs while he sleeps. It something he has never done before. The only new med he takes is for migranes and depression. He has had back sugery twice and now has nerve damage in his arms. I wonder if that is what is causing this new development. Sometimes he hurts me with his leg movements. Usually it`s just his feet though.


  4. Jen_13_13
    12-8-2008 @ 02:52

    Is this the same as when you’re just starting to fall asleep and your leg or your arm jerks, waking you up? Or is that actually a muscular thing instead of a neurological.

    I wonder if this can happen in arms as well? I notice my husband’s arms will jerk and twitch like what you described for the legs…


Leave a Reply