Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) – Update
Up to ten percent of the population may suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome, a misunderstood and often ignored disorder. It affects more women than men, and causes more discomfort at night than during the day. While some people who suffer from RLS may not realize it is a true disorder and avoid medical help, RLS harms sleep patterns and may be worsened by uneven sleep schedules of shift workers.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological movement disorder affecting an estimated 12 million adults, usually those in middle age, but it sometimes first appears in children as growing pains. According to the Restless Leg Foundation, up to 10% of the US population may have RLS. The National Sleep Foundation found that 17% of adults, ages 55-84, reported symptoms of RLS. It is more prevalent in women than men, often first appearing during pregnancy.
Those afflicted describe that they feel tingling, pulling, or a sensation of bugs creeping in the limbs. These feeling are more prevalent in the evening and at night, resulting in disrupted sleep. Family history accounts for approximately one-half of those diagnosed. Anemia, or low iron levels, has also been found to be contributors.
Many RLS sufferers also experience Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) during the night. PLMD is characterized by periodic jerking or kicking of the legs making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. This results in sleep deprivation for the individual afflicted and it may disturb the sleep of a bed partner. The impact of shift work on an individual’s circadian rhythms may contribute to higher rates of RSL and PLMD among shift workers.
A detailed sleep history, certain blood tests, and sometimes an overnight sleep study, are required to diagnose RLS and PLMD.
Here are some stories about these disorders as reported by the New York Times this week. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/voices-of-restless-legs-syndrome/
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©2008workingnights
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Tags: chronic problems, insomnia, napping, restless leg syndrome, sleep
