Restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder

 

What causes restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder?

While these conditions are not always found in the same person, the basic causes seem to be the same. They seem to run in families, and so if one of your parents have restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder, then it is more likely that you will have it too.

These conditions can also be linked to sometimes linked to hypothyroidism, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, fatigue, back problems, hyperventilation, or deficiencies of calcium and iron.

Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and anti-depressants can also be the cause, so examining your lifestyle and general health would be sensible before assuming that it is just an annoying condition that has to be tolerated.

Are restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder harmful?
 

It is not thought that these conditions on their own cause a health problem apart from the associated insomnia or disturbed sleep that can cause frustration and daytime tiredness.

In fact, because they are linked to other health conditions, having this problem suddenly start up, in one way could be considered a useful thing as they may act like a warning sign that your health needs attending to.

Treatments for restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder

The treatments for these conditions include:

• Better management of any underlying condition
• Avoidance of drugs such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and anti-depressants
• Taking sedatives to calm your nervous system or sleeping pills to over-ride the urge to move with restless leg syndrome

Buteyko may help restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder

As previously mentioned, hyperventilation is one linked cause to these conditions. Hyperventilation causes low blood concentration of carbon dioxide, which makes the nervous system agitated. An agitated nervous system can cause symptoms such as muscle twitching, tingling, numbness and other paraesthesia, or odd sensations.

It is possible then that hyperventilation is a main cause of restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder that has not yet been fully explored. If this is the case, then by changing your breathing pattern by using the Buteyko method may make these annoying symptoms disappear.

Many people who use the method often report that prior to learning Buteyko their bedclothes were always on the floor or making the bed in the morning was a major effort. Once they start to change their breathing, then the bedclothes are still in their correct place in the morning, which tells them that they have been a lot more restful during sleep.