ANCSLEEP BLOG

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) vs. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jun 4, 2024 5:05:00 PM

Sleep disorders can manifest in various ways, affecting our ability to get a restful night's sleep and impacting overall quality of life. Two related yet distinct conditions that often disrupt sleep and involve involuntary limb movements are Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). In this blog post, we'll delve into the differences between these two conditions, their symptoms, causes, and potential treatment options.

Read More

The Link Between Magnesium and Restless Legs Syndrome

Posted by Darian Dozier on Oct 30, 2023 7:09:00 AM

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleeping disorder where one feels a compulsive need to move their legs at night in order to relieve a stinging or pinpricking sensation. This constant movement interrupts the sleeper and any bed partners. Often, those uncomfortable sensations are relieved by the individual getting out of bed and walking around.

These uncomfortable sensations seem to worsen during inactivity, so one may become more aware of them while sitting down or lying down. While there is no active cure for them, there are some medications that can relieve these feelings. One popular medication is called Ropinirole, and can help calm down those sensations for improved sleep. However, if you would like to try something a bit more natural, then magnesium may due the trick.

Magnesium is a natural mineral that our bodies need to function. It plays a role in regulating different biochemical reactions in the body. A magnesium deficiency can cause issues with nerve impulse conduction, muscle contractions, and cramps. Continue reading to learn more about the impact that magnesium may have on RLS. 

Read More

Sleep Disorders Linked to Heart Disease

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jan 7, 2022 8:00:00 AM

Sleep disorders have one thing in common, they interrupt sleep. Therefore, it's important that if you have a sleep disorder, you find the problem before the accumulation of interrupted sleep leads to chronic sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation is more than just being tired. It can negatively impact several organ systems, including your heart. Heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide, so it's important to do everything possible to maintain its health - including getting enough sleep. Continue reading to find out how common sleeping disorders can lead to cardiovascular disease!

Read More

Restless Leg Syndrome and Anemia

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jan 3, 2022 7:00:00 PM

Restless leg syndrome has a sleep disorder that involves constant moving of the legs to relieve pain, itchiness, discomfort, tingling, and any other movement that can disrupt your sleep. There are a few documented causes for restless leg syndrome, but did you know one of them is anemia? If you have restless leg syndrome but have not been able to figure out the cause it may be due to anemia. Continue reading to find out how Annie Mia may play a role in your sleep disorder.

Read More

What happens when your partner has restless leg syndrome

Posted by Darian Dozier on Dec 10, 2021 8:00:00 AM

If your partner is struggling with restless leg syndrome, then they are struggling with getting a good night's sleep...but so are you. This struggle can put a lot of strain and pressure on the relationship as a lack of sleep can negatively affect interpersonal relationships. However, before you start sleeping in different bedrooms, there may be some things that you both can try to help then get more relief, and both of you get more sleep. Keep reading to find out what you can do. 

Read More

Is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Dangerous?

Posted by Tyler Britton on Jan 20, 2021 8:00:00 AM

Why RLS is a Problem?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system disorder that causes uncomfortable feelings in your legs (and other extremities) during the night. RLS can cause enough discomfort to interfere with sleep which is why it is considered a sleep disorder. This discomfort can cause you to wake up and move your leg to ease the discomfort, which can make it hard to fall back asleep.

The bad news is that this is a vicious cycle, as the sleep deprivation may in turn also worsen your symptoms. Also, people with mild or intermittent RLS may have their RLS go undetected or misdiagnosed, which in means their sleep deprivation may go with improvement.

The good news is that this sleep disorder does not usually require medication and there are things you can do to improve it.

Read More

What You Need To Know About Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Posted by Tyler Britton on Sep 15, 2020 8:00:00 AM

Definition of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system disorder that causes uncomfortable feelings in your legs, making you want to move them. The discomfort of RLS is usually enough that it interferes with sleep (causing sleep deprivation), therefore classifying it as a sleep disorder.

Read More

What it’s Like to Experience Restless Leg Syndrome

Posted by Tyler Britton on Jan 21, 2020 6:48:56 PM

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleeping disorder characterized by uncomfortable feelings in your legs at night, and sometimes other extremities as well. RLS causes enough discomfort to interfere with sleep, leading to sleep deprivation, hence why it is considered a sleep disorder. It can be a potentially serious condition if the severity is bad enough, so if these symptoms are similar to what you've been experiencing, then please continue reading to learn the next steps. .

RLS is caused by your nervous system. The experience of RLS is similar across the affected population in that there is chronic discomfort in the legs at night. This discomfort can also occur in other extremities. It can be mild, uncomfortable, and even intolerable.

RLS is not always consistent, which can make it difficult to diagnose. You are probably familiar with the scenarios people tend to joke about: you have chronic pain and as soon as you go to the doctor the pain goes away; your car is making a funny noise and as soon as you take it to the mechanic the noise disappears. RLS is similar because it comes and goes over a period of time or could be chronic and experienced all the time.

Many people just tolerate the symptoms but this doesn’t have to be the case. This condition does have a name and can be addressed with the help of a doctor or sleep specialist.

Read More

Overview of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Posted by Tyler Britton on Oct 31, 2019 8:00:00 AM

What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder caused by nervous system, and is characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and other extremities during the night. RLS usually causes enough discomfort to interfere with sleep, causing sleep deprivation.

The symptoms of RLS all have one thing in common: discomfort in the legs, though it can also occur in other extremities. This discomfort can be mild, uncomfortable, and even intolerable. Frustratingly, your RLS can:

  • Come and go over long periods of time
  • Be chronic (all the time)
  • Be intermittent – some nights RLS symptoms appear and some nights they don’t

This can make it difficult to identify that there is even a problem or a sleep disorder present. Continue reading to learn more about RLS and how to treat it.

Read More

What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Posted by Tyler Britton on Apr 26, 2019 8:00:00 AM

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system disorder that causes uncomfortable feelings in the legs and other extremities throughout the night. These feelings can be described as tingling or itching sensations that can only be relieved by moving the legs. This often keeps the individual awake throughout the night. 

Therefore, the primary consequence of RLS is sleep deprivation. Furthermore, the worse the sleep deprivation, the worse the symptoms, which continues to worsen the sleep deprivation, thus perpetuating a vicious cycle. 

RLS can be difficult to diagnose and may continue for months, undetected or misdiagnosed. The longer one goes without receiving the proper help, the longer they may suffer from not receiving proper help. Continue reading to learn more about what causes RLS and how you can receive the help you need. 

Read More

Subscribe to Email Updates

Recent Posts

Posts by Topic

see all