Sleep Problems

A Sleep Disorder That Affects The Legs – Restless Sleep Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome, known as RLS, is a sleep disorder that afflicts more than 15 percent of adults. It affects more women than men and the incidence of restless leg syndrome increases with age. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis and varicose veins,  also increase the risk of developing restless leg syndrome.

This sleep disorder is characterized by an uncontrollable  urge to move the lower legs, knees and occasionally the arms. Sometimes painful sensations accompany the urge to move. People that suffer from this sleep disorder describe the feelings and sensations in different ways.  Many describe a tingling, itching or pulling sensation. Still others say it feels prickly or burns. Some feel as if they have worms crawling under their skin.

The sensations which are typical of this sleep disorder can occur anytime during the day or night. Restless leg syndrome occurring at night has a devastating effect on sleep. The symptoms can cause the sufferer to get in and out of bed repeatedly which can delay or disrupt sleep. Since sleep in repeatedly interrupted, extreme daytime sleepiness is common.

The combination of always feeling  tired and the symptoms themselves can cause a person with restless leg syndrome to alter their lifestyle. Long trips, movies, concerts and eating in restaurants are some of the activities they usually avoid. Attending a long meeting at work can become very painful and uncomfortable. People that have this sleep disorder often suffer from depression.

Researchers believe that restless leg syndrome may be caused by malfunctions of the pathways in the brain that controls movement reflexes and sensations. Often this sleep disorder has a genetic base.

Restless leg syndrome cannot be diagnosed by one single test. Often standard neurological examinations show no signs of an abnormality.  In many cases, a doctor makes the diagnosis of restless leg syndrome based on the description of the symptoms. They also take into account family history, and the results of a routine medical examination and blood tests.

Many times the treatment for restless leg syndrome is aimed at controlling the debilitating sensations that accompany this sleep disorder. Often iron supplements are prescribed because severe anemia has been linked to this disorder. Relaxation techniques, diet changes and the elimination of caffeine and alcohol help some sufferers of restless leg syndrome.

In most cases, this sleep disorder is treated with drugs. These drugs could include dopamine agents, benzodiazepines, opioids or anticonvulsants. Medications do not cure restless leg syndrome, but they manage the symptoms. People that suffer from this sleep disorder usually have to stay on their medications for the rest of their lives.

Another sleep disorder similar to restless leg syndrome is periodic limb movement disorder known as PLMD.  There are  two main differences between restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder. Restless leg syndrome occurs when the sufferer is awake or asleep; periodic limb movement disorder only occurs when the sufferer is asleep.  Restless leg syndrome movements are voluntary responses to very unpleasant sensations; the movements of periodic limb movement disorder are involuntary and are  not consciously controlled. Both of these sleep disorders can be effectively  controlled with medical treatment.

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Being parents is a hard enough job without having sleep deprivation. Most parents find that they have to survive on less sleep. The glorious day when baby sleeps right through the night can never come too soon. Babies who nap through the day and then cry at night wreak havoc with parent’s sleeping patterns. There are strategies to try to cope with babies and sleeping habits.

If you are able to, it’s a good idea to sleep when the baby does, this may be impossible, since babies sleep for most of the day, if you are lucky.  Unplug the phone, put a do not disturb sign on the door and snooze along with junior. At nighttime, a warm bath can help to make baby sleepy, so time bath time just before putting baby down. Babies and sleeping routines are important, so bedtime needs to be about the same time every night, but don’t be a slave to it.

Sometimes, baby wakes up crying and for no apparent reason. They are dry, just been fed and you can’t think what could be wrong. At other times, the reason may be that they are teething or have colic. If you have exhausted all possibilities, they may be satisfied with a hug. Unfortunately, babies and sleeping don’t always go together.

Babies need a quite environment and not be cold or too warm. There are things that may calm them if they are anxious, such as a lullaby or a mobile above the cot. Some parents have found that placing baby next to a tumble drier soothes them into sleep! As a last resort in solving the babies and sleeping problem, some parents take baby out for a car ride. Baby falls asleep and then is carried gingerly to bed. Some babies will not fall asleep in their cot at any time and parents have to wait for them to nod off wherever they happen to be and than carry them to bed.

Teething and illnesses make the problem worse. Make sure that you have something from the doctor to rub on to sore gums when those teeth start to push through. Colic often interrupts babies and sleeping through. There are medicines to give for this too. If you are despairing parents with a wakeful child, just remember that it won’t always be like this. The first six months will fly by, albeit in a sleepless haze. Soon, they’ll be teenagers and you’ll be losing sleep because they haven’t come home yet!

If you baby is not napping well during her first few months of life, you may want to try to cut back on the time she is awake by 15 minute increments.  If she is getting overstimulated, then she will fight sleep and be difficult to get to nap.  The way to prevent this is to watch her ’sleepy” cues to make sure that you put her down when she is beginning to get sleepy.

Some parents believe that letting their child cry will harm him or her.  Fifteen or twenty minutes of crying will not harm your child physically or mentally.  Babies will learn to self-soothe and fall asleep by themselves, but only if you let her.  It is very important that babies learn to fall asleep by themselves so that they can self-soothe if they awake in the middle of the night.  Otherwise, you may have a child that will not sleep through the night for years.

Regular sleep patterns are intermeshed with regular eating patterns, so let us look at the stages of a baby’s life:

* Newborn:  Your newborn will sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day, including the naps that he takes between feedings.  When your baby has been fed, let him stay awake for a short while and then put him down before he becomes overstimulated.

* Two months:  At two months and older, your child should be allowed to try to self-soothe during their naptimes and bedtime.  Crying is normal when you put your baby down, but it is okay.  If he cries for longer than 10-15 minutes, then go in and check on him.  Don’t get him up, but pat his bottom or lightly rub his back until he calms down.

* 3-6 months:  At around 3-6 months, your baby will stop taking one of his naps.  Usually it is the third nap or late afternoon nap that they do not need as much.  He may be a little fussy and may want to take a little nap, but you need to try to keep him up if you want him to go to bed at a decent time and sleep soundly through the night.

* 16+ months:  When your child is between 16-20 months, they usually quit taking the morning nap in favor of a longer nap in the afternoons.  Babies this age usually sleep between 10-12 hours a night and take a 2-3 hour afternoon nap.

Ground Rules about Naps 1. You decide when the nap starts and ends, not the baby.   2. When your baby is older than 4 months old, she will wake up crying if she hasn’t slept enough.  She might have a dirty diaper, be in a position that is not comfortable, or cold/hot. Fix the problem and encourage her to go back to sleep.  Babies that have enough rest wake up happy, talking, and in a good mood.

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