There are plenty of reasons behind sleep deprivation. But a few of them have to do with a person’s arms and legs jerking and twitching uncontrollably. This occurs when they are trying to fall asleep or after they have fallen asleep the sporadic movement of their limbs wakes them up.
This uncomfortable state can be either Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMB).
The information below explains about both of these well known problems along with some valuable information on how to treat them if you suspect one of these may be the cause of your sleeples nights.
Restless Leg Syndrome: This is an uncomfortable sleeping related issue where your legs and arms can twitch quite violently or your legs are in such an un-relaxed state with charlie-horse like feelings that the only thing you can do is by moving them. By shifting your legs it helps to clear the bad feeling or discomfort. However when you relax after a short time or try to fall asleep, the feeling returns.
A person knows if they suffer from RLS if they noticed a sudden urge to move their legs or because they feel jittery, a burning sensation or like something is crawling on their legs. This could happen while either lying down or sitting up and if you move your legs and these odd feelings go away, then the chances are high that you suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (or Syndrome): This is when your legs and/or your arms involuntarily move about while you are sleeping. It’s highly likely the sufferer will awaken when this happens and if someone else is also in the bed, it will certainly disrupt their sleep too. In lots of cases people who suffer from RLS have been known to suffer from PLMD.
PLMD happens at irregular intervals during one’s life and strikes any age group. However it is mainly older people who suffer the most. There are two types of PLMD, primary and secondary.
And using OTC sleeping pills can help with RLS but just make sure and research any nasty side effects.
Important Note: This article is for information purposes only and is NOT medical advice. You should consult your doctor if you have concerns over your health or before you take any sleeping aids.