What Is Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)?

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Table of Contents

Symptoms

When It Occurs

Impact on Mental Health

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Coping

Frequently Asked Questions

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Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), also known as sleep-related myoclonus syndrome or nocturnal myoclonus syndrome, is a type of sleep-related movement disorder.

If you have periodic limb movement disorder, you’re not alone. It is estimated that 5% to 8% of children and 4% to 11% of adults live with this condition.Fortunately, the condition is not considered medically serious, and the symptoms can be treated with medication and lifestyle changes.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of periodic limb movement disorder. We also explore how this condition can affect your mental health and suggest strategies to help you cope.

The primary symptom of periodic limb movement disorder is episodes of simple, repetitive muscle movements that you have no control over, such as flexing or tightening your muscles.A very common example of periodic limb movement disorder is bending one’s big toe.

While the condition typically affects the lower limbs and causes movement in the toes, ankles, knees, or hips, it may also affect some people’s upper limbs and cause them to move their arms involuntarily.

These limb movements are not the same as the movements you make while stretching, changingsleep positions, or experiencing a muscle cramp.

The movement episodes can last from a few minutes to an hour, with movements lasting between 0.5 and 10 seconds and recurring at 5 to 90 seconds intervals.They can affect one limb or both.

The limb movements can occur:

The symptoms often start after age 40 and become more severe with age.

Periodic limb movement disorder can affect your ability to sleep and get a good night’s rest. Sleep deprivation can take a toll on yourmental healthand cause you to experience symptoms such as:

PLMD May Lead to Mental Health ConditionsA 2021 study notes that periodic limb movement disorder increases your risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and is linked to a fourfold greater risk of developingdementia.The study notes that it is also linked to hyperactivity and delayed development in children.

PLMD May Lead to Mental Health Conditions

A 2021 study notes that periodic limb movement disorder increases your risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety and is linked to a fourfold greater risk of developingdementia.The study notes that it is also linked to hyperactivity and delayed development in children.

The exact causes of periodic limb movement disorder are unknown, but these are some of the risk factors that can make you more likely to develop it:

Why Do I Get Depressed at Night?

Diagnosing periodic limb movement disorder may involve the following steps:

Sleep Problems Associated With Alcohol Misuse

We take a quick look at how periodic limb disorder differs from other sleep disorders.

Periodic limb movement disorder and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are two distinct sleep disorders; however, they often go hand in hand. Many people with restless legs syndrome also develop periodic limb movement disorder; however, most people with periodic limb movement disorder don’t develop restless legs syndrome.

Treatment for both conditions often involve similar medications.

The symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder include:

Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are the primary symptom of periodic limb movement disorder. They are quite common, and many people experience them occasionally, but they are often not frequent enough to significantly disrupt sleep.

Someone who experiences periodic limb movements in sleep will be diagnosed with periodic limb movement disorder if their limb movements significantly disrupt their sleep and quality of life.

Treatment options for periodic limb movement disorder may involve:

Solutions for Married Couples With Sleep Problems

If periodic limb movement disorder is affecting your well-being, these are some steps that can help you cope:

Frequently Asked QuestionsMoving often in your sleep does not automatically mean you have periodic limb movement disorder. If your movements are disrupting your sleep, or your bed partner’s, you should see a sleep specialist for a check-up and diagnosis.If your partner has periodic limb movement disorder and it’s disrupting your sleep or your ability to function the next day, you can discuss sleeping in separate beds to help ensure you get adequate rest.It may be helpful to see a couples therapist if the condition is affecting your relationship.

Moving often in your sleep does not automatically mean you have periodic limb movement disorder. If your movements are disrupting your sleep, or your bed partner’s, you should see a sleep specialist for a check-up and diagnosis.

If your partner has periodic limb movement disorder and it’s disrupting your sleep or your ability to function the next day, you can discuss sleeping in separate beds to help ensure you get adequate rest.It may be helpful to see a couples therapist if the condition is affecting your relationship.

If your partner has periodic limb movement disorder and it’s disrupting your sleep or your ability to function the next day, you can discuss sleeping in separate beds to help ensure you get adequate rest.

It may be helpful to see a couples therapist if the condition is affecting your relationship.

What Is Sleep Therapy?

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Restless legs.Drakatos P, Olaithe M, Verma D, et al.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a narrative review.J Thorac Dis. 2021;13(11):6476-6494. doi:10.21037/jtd-21-1353Cleveland Clinic.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) in adults.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Periodic limb movements.Alessandria M, Provini F.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a new sleep-related cardiovascular risk factor?Front Neurol. 2013;4:116. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00116National Institutes of Health.Sleep deprivation.Giannaki CD, Karatzaferi C, Hadjigeorgiou GM, George KP, Stefanidis I, Sakkas GK.Periodic limb movements in sleep and cardiovascular disease: time to act.Front Neurol. 2013;4:97. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00097National Library of Medicine.Sleep disorders.National Institutes of Health.Restless legs syndrome.National Library of Medicine.Restless legs syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.REM sleep behavior disorder.Cleveland Clinic.Parasomnias and disruptive sleep disorders.

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Restless legs.Drakatos P, Olaithe M, Verma D, et al.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a narrative review.J Thorac Dis. 2021;13(11):6476-6494. doi:10.21037/jtd-21-1353Cleveland Clinic.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) in adults.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Periodic limb movements.Alessandria M, Provini F.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a new sleep-related cardiovascular risk factor?Front Neurol. 2013;4:116. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00116National Institutes of Health.Sleep deprivation.Giannaki CD, Karatzaferi C, Hadjigeorgiou GM, George KP, Stefanidis I, Sakkas GK.Periodic limb movements in sleep and cardiovascular disease: time to act.Front Neurol. 2013;4:97. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00097National Library of Medicine.Sleep disorders.National Institutes of Health.Restless legs syndrome.National Library of Medicine.Restless legs syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.REM sleep behavior disorder.Cleveland Clinic.Parasomnias and disruptive sleep disorders.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Library of Medicine.Restless legs.Drakatos P, Olaithe M, Verma D, et al.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a narrative review.J Thorac Dis. 2021;13(11):6476-6494. doi:10.21037/jtd-21-1353Cleveland Clinic.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) in adults.American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Periodic limb movements.Alessandria M, Provini F.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a new sleep-related cardiovascular risk factor?Front Neurol. 2013;4:116. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00116National Institutes of Health.Sleep deprivation.Giannaki CD, Karatzaferi C, Hadjigeorgiou GM, George KP, Stefanidis I, Sakkas GK.Periodic limb movements in sleep and cardiovascular disease: time to act.Front Neurol. 2013;4:97. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00097National Library of Medicine.Sleep disorders.National Institutes of Health.Restless legs syndrome.National Library of Medicine.Restless legs syndrome.Cleveland Clinic.REM sleep behavior disorder.Cleveland Clinic.Parasomnias and disruptive sleep disorders.

National Library of Medicine.Restless legs.

Drakatos P, Olaithe M, Verma D, et al.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a narrative review.J Thorac Dis. 2021;13(11):6476-6494. doi:10.21037/jtd-21-1353

Cleveland Clinic.Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) in adults.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Periodic limb movements.

Alessandria M, Provini F.Periodic limb movements during sleep: a new sleep-related cardiovascular risk factor?Front Neurol. 2013;4:116. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00116

National Institutes of Health.Sleep deprivation.

Giannaki CD, Karatzaferi C, Hadjigeorgiou GM, George KP, Stefanidis I, Sakkas GK.Periodic limb movements in sleep and cardiovascular disease: time to act.Front Neurol. 2013;4:97. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00097

National Library of Medicine.Sleep disorders.

National Institutes of Health.Restless legs syndrome.

National Library of Medicine.Restless legs syndrome.

Cleveland Clinic.REM sleep behavior disorder.

Cleveland Clinic.Parasomnias and disruptive sleep disorders.

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