Periodic limb movement disorder- causes | Sign & symptom | management

Introduction:

The periodic limb movement disorder is a condition in which the jerking of limbs occurs during sleep. The repeated movement with specific intervals of time has been noticed in the patients. Usually, the episode of the movement is repeated after every 20-45 seconds. The repeated movements cause the disturbance in the sleep and make the patient awake during the night. That is why the people suffering from PLMD have been found sleeping during daytime.

Usually, the term periodic limb movement disorder is mixed with restless leg syndrome because the leg movement is involved in both the cases. However, you must understand that the episodes of PLMD go on during sleep whereas restless leg syndrome is a sensory disorder which occurs during awakens.

Who is susceptible to developing PLMD?

Certainly, it is complicated to conclude that which age group is likely to develop PLMD because the cases have been found in every age group. However, the research showed that people of middle and old age group are more susceptible to developing periodic limb movement disorders.

The probable causes of periodic limb movement disorder:

The PLMD has been classified as primary and secondary according to the causative factors. In both types, the patient shows the same reaction, and the signs and symptoms are almost same.

Causes of Primary PLMD:

The actual reason for developing primary PLMD is still unknown. The concept of stimulation of nerves is closer logical. Due to different reasons, the nerves pass false signals which cause movement of the limb. It might be due to any abnormality in the nerves traveling from the brain to the extremities.

Causes of Secondary PLMD

The secondary periodic limb movement disorder has been found for different reasons. Most of the causes of secondary PLMD are associated with pathological and degenerative changes. There are also some neurological and psychiatric problems which cause periodic limb movement disorder. In the following bullet points, you can read some common health issues in which you may notice limb movement disorder along with other symptoms.

·         The Diabetes Mellitus is a well-known health problem in the world which is caused due to different reasons. In most of the diabetic patients, periodic limb movement disorder has been reported along with other symptoms. However, how diabetes cause PLMD is still unknown.

·         As you know, the limb movements are associated with brain and nervous system. The nervous system is linked to spinal cord. Different types of spinal problems cause PLMD. The underlying reason is the impaired nerves due to compression or injury. So, you may note the limb movement issues in the patients have disc degeneration/herniation, spinal tumors, and spinal injuries.

·         Sleep apnea and anemia are the two reasons which cause periodic limb movement disorder with the same phenomenon. Basically, in both the cases, the supply of oxygen to the tissues is reduced which causes limbs movement during sleep. Sleep apnea syndrome causes difficulty in breathing which causes the reduction in the supply of oxygen. Similarly, in anemic cases, the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is reduced. The low hemoglobin level in the blood indicates the anemia in hematology test. The deficiency of oxygen directly affects the brain, and you see the periodic limb movement disorder in such cases.

·         Adverse effects of the medication may also cause secondary PLMD. The patients using the narcoleptic, antidopaminergic and antidepressant medicines have been reported with limb movement disorders during sleep.

·         The withdrawal effects of sedative drugs like benzodiazepine and barbiturates may also cause PLPMD. Usually, the drugs dependents, using any of these drugs are more susceptible to developing periodic limb movement disorder. However, the episodes are short because the patient revives when the withdrawal effects subside.

Signs and symptoms of PLMD

Hence there are no certain signs and symptoms of periodic limb movement disorder other than strange movements. Usually, the patient is unaware of the situation and completely asymptomatic because it happens during deep sleep. Being a roommate or life partner, you may note the unusual periodic movements. However, you may note some behavioral changes in the patients.

·         The consistent increase in the sleep hours can be observed in the patients of PLMD. Usually, the complaints of daytime sleep may be increased.

·         Due to lack of sleep, the patient cannot maintain the usual behavior. Patient shows lack of interest in routine activities. There may be the lack of interest in games and parties.

·         The onset of periodic limb movement occurs only during sleep. The unusual changes which you can note in the people of PLMD are ankle joint and toe movement.

·         In severe cases, the strenuous movements of arms and legs have been noticed. Moreover, you may also note the jaw and nasal movements in the patients. Even, a group of various movements can be observed in PLMD. However, it is very astonishing that the patient does not know about these movements at all.

Effects of periodic limb movement disorder on your health:

The periodic limb movement disorder affects the general health because of poor sleep which further causes insomnia. Usually, the patient does not know about the occurrence, but he/she wakes many times after the episodes. The patient looks tired/confused and prefers to sleep during daytime. This irregularity in rest and work hours affects his/her health and behavior.

Although the periodic limb movement does not cause any further disease, it can aggravate the preexisting conditions. Lack of sleep and exertion may cause weakening of the body systems including digestive and nervous systems. Moreover, the immune system of your body is also affected by PLMD.

Usually, the patient tries to complete the required sleep during daytime. However, if he/she is unable to take adequate his/her rest, the symptoms of other sleep disorders may also appear. Even, the patient may develop mental health problems associated with the sleep deficit.

Diagnosis:

As you have read above, the patients do not know the onset of the illness. His/her life partner or roommate can note his/her unusual movements. He/she can provide useful information regarding the episodes and nature of movements. The polysomnogram and bioelectrical process to record the sleep are helpful to diagnose the case. In this connection, you may consult the sleep technicians.

Management of periodic limb movement disorder cases:

As you have read above, there are two classifications of periodic limb movement disorder; the primary and the secondary. You can manage both the disorders by treating the causative elements. Although, the concerned specialist (psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) can give you better advice; however, here are some important points that may help you manage the PLMD cases more efficiently.

Management of Primary PLMD

The cause of primary PLMD is still unknown, but some research shows that there may be neurological or psychological issues that cause generation of false singles to the nerves. Moreover, sleeping with wrong body position may also stimulate the nerves to move the limbs. So, the movements may be minimized by training the patient to adopt correct body position while sleeping. You can add some special pillows and pads in the bedding. As far as the psychological issues are concerned, you may consult the psychologist for expert advice.

Management of Secondary PLMD:

The secondary periodic limb movement is caused due to certain diseases. You have already read about some of the diseases. Here are some important points that you need to consider.

·         In diabetic patients, the onset of the disease starts due to negligence because the sugar level in the body is disturbed. If the patient is taking regular medication, the chances of onset are rare. So, if you are the known case of diabetes mellitus, get your medicines regularly as per your physician’s advice.

·         You have also read that the adverse effects of medication like narcoleptic, antidopaminergic and antidepressant may cause PLMD. If you think, the issue started after taking a particular medicine, consult your physician immediately. He may recommend any alternative drug for you.

·         The periodic limb movement disorder caused due to the withdrawal of sedative drugs is a temporary issue. It happened with every drug dependent during cessation program. So, don’t worry. It will be normalized when the urge of the drug is treated.

Do you think you are showing symptoms of periodic limb movement disorder?  What have you done to treat your symptoms?