  |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
YOUR HEALTH
Husband's jerking legs keep wife awake all night long
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have some questions about restless leg syndrome. I think my husband might have it, and I want to know how to help him. During the night, he shakes the bed about every other minute. His legs are moving. It keeps me awake. Does he lack a certain vitamin? We both need our sleep. -- G.A. ANSWER: Restless leg syndrome affects mostly people who are middle-aged or older. It's unpleasant sensations in the legs. Some describe it as a creepy-crawly feeling that won't let up until he or she gets up and walks around. It happens when the person is in bed or when seated quietly, and it's worse in the evening or at night. Cutting down on caffeine and alcohol and eliminating all forms of nicotine can often get rid of this disturber of sleep. If your husband uses the antihistamine Benadryl, have him stop. It can make restless legs worse. So can some antidepressants. Your husband should be checked for iron deficiency. It can bring on restless leg syndrome, and correcting the deficiency can put an end to it. Your husband has another condition -- periodic limb movements of sleep. About 80 percent of those with restless leg syndrome also have this problem. The legs -- less often the arms -- jerk about during sleep and might or might not waken the person. The jerking occurs every 10 to 60 seconds. Life for the affected person, as well as for the spouse, becomes unpleasant. There are medicines that treat both conditions. Neither of them is Parkinson's disease, but Parkinson's medicines can halt symptoms. Mirapex and Requip are two examples. Neurontin is another medicine that can ease both disorders. A vitamin deficiency is not the cause. .Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853- 6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. 2006 North America Syndicate Inc.All Rights Reserved
Readers Comments
Post new comment |
       |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
