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Toms River, NJ, March 10, 2006 - Patricia Mermini, 63, could never be sure that she was going to get a good night’s sleep. No matter how tired she was, the Barnegat resident could be awakened at any time by leg shakes so severe that the only way to stop them is to stand up -- sometimes for hours.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations of the legs and an urge to move them for relief.
RLS sensations are often described by sufferers as burning, tugging, crawling, tingling, pins and needles and sometimes painful sensations that are usually accompanied by an overwhelming urge to move the legs. Movement provides temporary relief from the discomfort.
Patricia’s legs would shake so much, and be so unpredictable that she was always nervous when she would go out anywhere. Her husband, Romeo, would often have to pull the car over so she get out and walk around when her legs started their uncontrollable jerking.
“It’s just awful to live with, you can’t go to a movie and certainly can’t be on an airplane, not to mention how tired you are from not sleeping,” Patricia says.
After seeking other medical help and not finding relief for almost three years, Patricia became a patient of Gerald Ferencz, MD, co-medical director of the Center for Sleep Disorders at Community Medical Center, about two years ago.
“The most distinctive or unusual aspect of the condition is that lying down and trying to relax activates the symptoms. As a result, like Patricia, most people with RLS have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, largely because of the limb discomfort and jerking,” notes Dr. Ferencz.
Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue, he says. Many people with RLS report that their job, personal relationships, and activities of daily living are strongly affected as a result of their exhaustion.
Fortunately, Patricia Mermini’s RLS was treatable with medication. “What a Godsend for Dr. Ferencz to be able to help me control my shaking legs, which were often uncontrollable.”
Some researchers estimate that RLS affects as many as 12 million Americans. However, others estimate a much higher occurrence because RLS is thought to be under diagnosed and, in some cases, misdiagnosed.
“Some people with RLS may not seek medical attention because they believe that they will not be taken seriously, that their symptoms are too mild, or that their condition is not treatable,” notes Dr. Ferencz. Symptoms are often wrongly attributed to nervousness, insomnia, stress, arthritis, muscle cramps, or aging, he says.
The incidence of RLS is slightly higher in women. Although the syndrome may begin at any age, most patients who are severely affected are middle-aged or older. The severity of the disorder appears to increase with age with older patients experiencing symptoms more frequently and for longer periods of time.
These sensations occur most often in the legs (between the knee and ankle), but may occur in the feet, thighs, arms, and hands. These feelings usually affect both legs, but can affect only one leg.
Because moving the legs (or other affected parts of the body) relieves the discomfort, people with RLS often keep their legs in motion to minimize or prevent the sensations. They may pace the floor, constantly move their legs while sitting, and toss and turn in bed.
Chronic diseases such as kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy are associated with RLS. Treating the underlying condition often provides relief from RLS symptoms. Symptoms may also occur during pregnancy.
“Decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may also provide some relief,” Dr. Ferencz advises.
Physicians may suggest that certain individuals take supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium. Studies also have shown that maintaining a regular sleep pattern can reduce symptoms. Some sufferers, finding that RLS symptoms are minimized in the early morning, change their sleep patterns.
Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs, or using a heating pad or ice pack can help relieve symptoms in some patients. Although many patients find some relief with such measures, rarely do these efforts completely eliminate symptoms
“Medications are available for treatment of RLS. Current therapies can control the disorder, minimizing symptoms and increasing periods of restful sleep,” Dr. Ferencz says.
Dr. Ferencz is also conducting clinical trials on patients with RLS with the goal to increase scientific understanding of RLS and add to treatment options to those currently available.
For more information about Restless Leg Syndrome or to contact the The Center for Sleep Disorders at Community Medical Center at 732-557-2798 or Dr. Ferencz at Shore Neurology Research Department at 732-575-1695.
The Center for Sleep Disorders at Community Medical Center can help diagnosis and treat a number of other sleep disorders including Sleep Apnea, Primary Snoring, Narcolepsy and Daytime Sleepiness. The center has state of the art sleep diagnostic equipment and is staffed by Board Certified Sleep Physicians and Registered Sleep Technologists. If you or a loved one has a sleep disorder, please call us at 732-557-2798.
CONTACT: Kristine A. Brown
Director of Public Relations
(732) 557-7167
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