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Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) or
Nocturnal Myoclonus
A Brief Description
The experience of Periodic Limb Movement
Disorder (PLMD) includes involuntary movements in the legs during the night while the person is
asleep. The person may or may not notice the movements while sleeping. The
movements, while most common in the legs, can also affect the arms. They occur at fairly
regular intervals of about 30 seconds. They are most common in the stage of sleep
known as non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which usually occurs during the first half of
the night. A person who suffers from Restless Legs
Syndrome (RLS) usually experiences periodic limb movements, but people who have PLMD
do not necessarily have RLS. Periodic limb movements can wake the person from sleep
throughout the night or go unnoticed.
How common is PLMD?
PLMD is relatively rare in persons under the age of 30
and becomes more common as we age. It affects men and women equally and often
contributes to the inability to sleep in persons suffering from Insomnia.
What causes it?
The cause of PLMD is unclear. Many of the same
factors that are associated with Restless Legs Syndrome
(RLS) are also associated with PLMD. Some antidepressant medications can
aggravate the symptoms associated with PLMD. Periodic limb movements are more common
in people who have kidney disease or suffer from Narcolepsy.
How is it treated?
Many people who suffer from PLMD need no
treatment because they sleep through their limb movements. Some people may improve by
paying strict attention to their sleep hygiene or
seeing a medical professional for alternative options. |
