By What does PLMD look like?
If you have PLMD or sleep with someone who has PLMD, you may recognize these movements as brief muscle twitches, jerking movements, or an upward flexing of the feet. PLMD can disrupt sleep and co-occur with other sleep disorders, including restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy.
Does PLMD happen every night?
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is repetitive cramping or jerking of the legs during sleep. It is the only movement disorder that occurs only during sleep, and it is sometimes called periodic leg (or limb) movements during sleep.
Is PLMD a disability?
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is one of the commonest neurological disorders and causes significant disability, if left untreated. However, it is rarely diagnosed in clinical practice, probably due to lack of awareness and/or lack of necessary diagnostic facilities.
What triggers PLMD?
The exact cause of PLMD is unknown. However, several medications are known to make PLMD worse. These medications include some antidepressants, antihistamines, and some antipsychotics. PLMD may be related to a low iron level or problems with limb nerve conduction due to diabetes or kidney disease.
Is PLMD serious?
Primary PLMD is not considered medically serious, although complications arising from the condition may cause issues. According to the National Sleep Foundation, primary PLMD is uncommon.
How is PLMD treated?
Generally, there are several classes of drugs that are used to treat PLMD. These include dopamine agonist, anticonvulsant medications, benzodiazepines, and narcotics. Current treatment recommendations consider the dopamine agonist as a first line of defense.
Is PLMD curable?
Medical treatment of PLMD often significantly reduces or eliminates the symptoms of these disorders. There is no cure for PLMD and medical treatment must be continued to provide relief.