I jerk in the middle of the night, what’s wrong with me?
I do it several times in the middle of the night and it startles me and wakes me up. What's the matter with me? Is this normal?
Would you consider having plastic surgery?
Answers:
Hmmmm... if you are referring to the below..
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are distinct disorders, but often occur simultaneously. Both PLMD and RLS are also called (nocturnal) myoclonus, which describes frequent or involuntary muscle spasms. Periodic limb movement was formally described first in the 1950s, and, by the 1970s, it was listed as a potential cause of insomnia. In addition to producing similar symptoms, PLMD and RLS are treated similarly.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
Periodic limb movement disorder affects people only during sleep. The condition is characterized by behavior ranging from shallow, continual movement of the ankle or toes, to wild and strenuous kicking and flailing of the legs and arms. Furthermore, abdominal, oral, and nasal movement sometimes accompanies PLMD. Movement of the legs is more typical than movement of the arms in cases of PLMD. Movements typically occur for 0.5 to 10 seconds, in intervals separated by five to 90 seconds.
In 1979, the Association of Sleep Disorder Centers (ASDC) set the parameters for determining the presence of PLMD:
A formal diagnosis of nocturnal myoclonus requires three periods during the night, lasting from a few minutes to an hour or more, each containing at least 30 movements followed by partial arousal or awakening. (ASDC 1979)
Today, these parameters are a bit more relaxed, and PLMD usually includes any repetitive, involuntary movement during the night. These limb movements usually occur in deep stage two sleep, but often cause arousal. Thus, PLMD can cause poor sleep, which may lead to sleep maintenance insomnia and/or excessive daytime sleepiness.
The incidence of PLMD increases with age. It is estimated to occur in 5% of people age 30 to 50 and in 44% of people over the age of 65. As many as 12.2% of patients suffering from insomnia and 3.5% of patients suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness may experience PLMD.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless legs syndrome was described as early as the 16th century but was not studied until the 1940s. People with RLS complain of an irresistible urge to move their legs while at rest. A person with RLS will experience a vague, uncomfortable feeling while at rest that is only relieved by moving the legs. The symptoms of RLS may be present all day long, making it difficult for an individual to sit motionless. Or they may be present only in the late evening. Late evening symptoms can lead to sleep onset insomnia, which tends to compound the effects of RLS. Pregnancy, uremia, and post-surgery conditions have also been known to increase the incidence of RLS. And, surprisingly, fever seems to decrease it.
Although one study found RLS to be most prevalent in middle-aged females, its incidence increases with age.
Restless legs syndrome is estimated to affect 5% of the population. Approximately 80% of people with RLS have PLMD, though most people with PLMD do not experience RLS.
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Diagnosis
PLMD
A sleep partner may observe the occurrence of periodic limb movements, which often affect the partner before the patient knows of his or her behavior. In other cases, however, the diagnosis is made by a sleep technician during an overnight polysomnogram, which records sleep and the bioelectrical processes that govern it. This test is often used to assess the cause of excessive daytime sleepiness, such as PLMD and obstructive sleep apnea.
RLS
The diagnosis of RLS is based on the patient's description and personal history of his or her affliction. Because it presents no external secondary symptoms, RLS can be difficult to identify. There are studies designed to quantify the effects of RLS, though these are used mostly for research purposes. For example, a Suggested Immobilization Test, or Forced Immobilization Test, is performed while the patient either voluntarily keeps his or her legs motionless or while the legs are immobilized with a stretcher. The limb movements are then monitored with an EMG. In both PLMD and RLS, a complete examination to exclude secondary causes is warranted.
Furthermore, it is necessary to distinguish PLMD from other more serious types of nocturnal movement, such as seizure. Nocturnal seizures present problems for patients because they can cause injury and are indicative of disorders that require specialized treatment. Also, iron and calcium deficiencies often produce symptoms that mirror RLS, such as leg cramping and tenderness.
Treatment
Generally, there are three classes of drugs that are used to treat PLMD and RLS. These are benzodiazepines, Parkinson drugs, and narcotics. Medical treatment of PLMD and RLS often significantly reduces or eliminates the symptoms of these disorders, though not always. There is no cure for PLMD or RLS, and medical treatment must be continued to provide potential relief.
Clonazepam is the most commonly employed benzodiazepine treatment. It is effective in many cases, but not all, and it usually causes drowsiness or sedation. Sometimes, clonazepam allows the patient a better, more restful night's sleep without affecting the occurrence of limb movement. Patients with PLMD may have other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, which the use of clonazepam could worsen.
The drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease are also very effective against PLMD and RLS. These include, L-dopa/carbidopa, bromocriptine (which suppresses the excretion of prolactin), pergolide, and selegiline. If either benzodiazepines or Parkinson's medications do not relieve symptoms, then narcotics, such as codeine, oxycodone, methadone, and propoxyphene are sometimes employed.
In May of 2005, ropinirole HCl (Requip®), which also is used to treat Parkinson's disease, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate-to-severe (i.e., 15 or more episodes per month) restless legs syndrome. This medication may result in extreme drowsiness and may cause patients to fall asleep during daily activities (e.g., driving). Other side effects include dizziness, nausea and vomitting, sweating upon standing
Other Answers:
Please could you tell me what the drug Gabapentin is used for?
you'll grow up ... eventually !It sounds like some kind of sleeping disorder. Consult a doctor or neurologist. They can help you out on this. Good Luck.
what does it mean to have middle back pain all the time?
This usually happens as you are going to sleep - typically along with a dream about falling. It used to happen a lot in my teens but has become much less frequent as I get older.
Seems like I remember reading it is sort of a "disaster drill" or practice run of the reflexes that stop us from falling accidentally.
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