PLMD and RLS: How Are They Different?

While restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are separate conditions, treatment options for both mostly overlap.

Both restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder can cause uncontrolled and unwanted movements that make it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep.

These conditions often link and can even occur at the same time. However, they’re not the same condition.

Periodic limb movement disorder is a condition people experience during sleep, but people with restless leg syndrome experience the uncontrolled leg motions it causes while they’re awake.

Is restless leg syndrome (RLS) the same as periodic limb movement disorder (PLSD)?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) can both result in frequent and uncontrolled leg motions. Both conditions often link to leg movement during sleep. However, these two movement conditions conditions aren’t the same.

PLMD only happens at night, and people who have it tend to sleep through episodes. Conversely, RLS can happen at any time. Still, it’s usually during times of drowsiness or rest, and people are ‌typically awake to experience it.

For instance, although both conditions can occur at night, RLS episodes generally keep people awake, while PLMD episodes occur while people sleep and might disturb the sleep experience of any bed partners.

Can you have both RLS and PLMD?

Yes, you can. Many people who experience RLS also sometimes experience PLMD, and most report occasional PLDM. Also, some people with PLMD as their primary diagnosis report sometimes experiencing RLS.

Diagnosis for unwanted leg movement

A doctor can diagnose unwanted leg movement after an appointment and several tests. The first step is typically describing your symptoms. It will be important to discuss your medical history as well as any medications you take.

A doctor might also order testing, such as :

• Keeping a sleep journal: A sleep journal can help you keep track of any patterns in your sleep health. Your doctor might ask you to record your bedtime routine , meals, and other potential sleep factors, along with each night’s amount of sleep. It’s common to keep a sleep journal for about 2 weeks.
• Visiting a sleep center: A sleep center is a specialist testing facility where you can have specific testing for conditions that affect sleep. Your doctor might recommend this if they believe you have RLS, PLMD, or any other sleep condition.
• Polysomnography: A polysomnography is a test you can have at a sleep center. It’s an overnight test that monitors your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and body movements as you sleep in a controlled environment.
• Actigraphy: An actigraphy is a test done by wearing a small device on your wrist or ankle. This device can monitor your limb motions while you sleep to help test for conditions such as RLS and PLMD.
• Blood work: Sometimes, blood work is done to rule out conditions such as anemia that can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and other symptoms that can overlap with sleep conditions.
• Electromyography: An electromyography is a test that measures the electrical activity of your muscles. Your doctor might do it to help confirm an RLS diagnosis.

How do you treat restless leg syndrome and PLMD?

Multiple possible treatment options for both RLS and PLMD are available. The right treatment depends on factors such as the person, the severity of their symptoms, and any other medical conditions they have.

Possible treatment options include:

• quitting smoking , if applicable
• warm baths before bed
• improving sleep hygiene
• increasing exercise during the daytime
• doing leg stretches or massage therapy techniques in the evening
• reducing caffeine intake , especially in the evening
• reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption , if applicable to you
• increasing iron intake through diet or supplements
• getting up and moving at regular intervals during long flights, movies, work days, and seated activities
• using foot and leg wraps at night
• over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers to reduce inflammation and muscle activity
• prescription dopamine-increasing medications , such as Carbidopa (levodopa)
• medications that mimic the action of dopamine, such as pramipexole
• anticonvulsant medications to help calm muscle movement
• the short-term use of opioid pain-relieving medications
• benzodiazepines to help treat insomnia and anxiety linked to PLMD and RLS

While RLS and PLMD can seem like insignifigant problems, anything that regularly disrupts your sleep can be dangerous to your health . Talk with your doctor about your best treatment options.

Takeaway

PLMD and RLS are both conditions that cause unwanted and uncontrolled limb movement. Both conditions can disrupt sleep, and it’s possible to have both conditions together.

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, increasing exercise, reducing alcohol and caffeine, and working to improve sleep hygiene with steps such as warm baths and massage can help treat both conditions.

When those steps aren’t enough, prescription treatments such as dopamine-increasing or mimicking medications, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines can help.

Talk with your doctor if PLMD or RLS is keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep.