Are You Still Sleeping with That Pain in The Neck?

There are many sleeping pillows to choose from, cotton, wool, latex, polyester or natural filling like goose down. Most pillows come soft, medium and firm. A down bedding specialist will carry high quality goose down that will stay lofty. You will be able to try many pillows with different qualities of goose down and each a different firmness. Generally, people who are stomach sleepers require a soft pillow, back sleepers a medium pillow and side sleepers a firm pillow, unless they are petite then a medium would be better. Some down bedding specialists will offer the service of adjusting the pillow once you have slept on it a few nights. Now that’s the perfect sleeping pillow.

A high quality goose down pillow with the right amount of filling will cradle your head and keep your head at the correct angle for a good night’s sleep. A high quality white goose down and the proper care will prevent the pillow from flattening out, keeping the loft to support your head and spine in the correct alignment. Regular cleaning and conditioning (not washing or dry-cleaning) by a down specialist will not only sanitize the down, it will re-fluff it and keep it lofty, and remove any dust. You should clean your down pillows about every 3 - 4 years to keep them fresh and fluffy. Choose a high threadcount for the casing to ensure the down will not “leak” out. Swiss Batiste is the lightest, most durable and the most downproof material with a very high threadcount. Any cotton cambric 300 and over will be very durable and downproof.

So for that all important personal pillow, get what you really need for a perfect night’s sleep. Choose a high quality Eiderdown or white goose down pillow and have it made just for you. You will be rewarded with years of sleeping without that pain in the neck. Once you have your perfect pillow, get an extra one for traveling. You will not want to be without it.

Are you getting a good nights sleep?

According to recent poles 40 million Americans may have chronic insomnia, with problems related to falling asleep and staying asleep or waking up to early in the mornings. In fact, more than 100 million Americans do not get a full 7 – 8 hours sleep every night. Last year over 26 million prescriptions were written to help Americans sleep. Prescription drugs can have side effects, in most cases the dosages need to be upped to get a full night sleep the longer one is on them and most people become addicted to prescription sleep aids making it so they cant stop taking the them unless they don’t want to sleep for a few days. There may be an answer to America’s sleeping problem at your local health food store.

If you are having trouble sleeping, there are a few steps you can take to help your body naturally get to sleep. First try to get to bed at the same time every night your body runs on an internal clock and if you don’t get to sleep every night at the same time you can through that clock out of whack so a regular bedtime routine is good practice even if you aren’t tired try to lay down maybe read a book or listen to some relaxing music. Lifestyle choices will affect your sleep as well such as smoking, illicit drug use and pharmaceuticals, alcohol and caffeine; try to limit your intake of such things for better sleep. Next in line is nutrition, a combination of herbs and vitamins can help naturally relax the body and mind to help one get better sleep all night long. Green tea is an herb that is loaded with the amino acid l-Theanine, studies have shown l-Theanine to can help calm the brain, given today’s high passé lifestyles most of us are still thinking about work or what needs to go on your grocery list while laying in bed, l-Theanine helps calm your thoughts for a better nights sleep.

Other beneficial vitamins and herbs are as follows:

* 5-HTP: helps promote healthy sleep, a precursor to serotonin vital for mood regulation and sleep.

* Ashwagandha: an Adaptogenic herb, helps combat stress, calming herb.

* B Complex: good to combat stress, helps maintain a healthy nervous system function.

* Calcium: helps relax muscles.

* Chamomile: anti-anxiety herb, good for ADD, insomnia and stress.

* Catnip: a calming herb, used to help you sleep with out affecting you the next day.

* Hops: primarily used for treatment of anxiety and insomnia for thousands of years.

* Lemon Balm: Primarily used for ADD, insomnia, stress, and Irritable bowel syndrome.

* Magnesium: helps relax muscles and is a good brain relaxing mineral.

* Skullcap: used in the past primarily as a calmative and a digestive aid, and is known for its calming effects.

* Valerian: is a tranquilizer and calming herb useful for disorders such as restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, hysteria, and headaches.

The above listed herbs can be found in combination by several manufacturers such as Source naturals and Planetary Formulas to name two. Herbal supplements can create a natural relaxing and stress relieving environment for the body before bedtime.

Finally, there is melatonin which is a hormone naturally produced by the body. Melatonin is secreted from the pineal gland and is only released in darkness during sleep in healthy people. Unfortunately melatonin declines as we age and supplementation might be needed to help bring back normal sleep at night.

The statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease please consult your health care physician before discontinuing medication or introducing herbs into your diet if you are currently on medication for sleep, herbs tend to enhance the effects of medications and side effects from those medication may increase.

An Alternative Approach for Overcoming a Sleep Disorder

Having a sleep disorder can be very disruptive to everyday life. Sleep deprived people are usually excessively tired and sleepy. They tend to become irritable and very emotional. At times they become a danger, not only to themselves, but also to those around them.

Some people use alternative, natural ways to lessen the effects of their sleep disorder. Many people focus on diet and nutrition, while others use herbs and supplements. Still others believe in the positive effect of exercise, relaxation and sensory techniques, meditation or behavioral and cognitive strategies. Often people use a combination of these approaches to help alleviate the symptoms of their sleep disorder.

A healthy diet is essential for optimal energy and a restful sleep. Avoiding certain foods is as important as including others in your daily diet. Eating a wide variety of foods and drinking plenty of water will keep your body well- balanced and provide a more stable energy level. Avoiding food that is grown, treated or processed with chemicals, and limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine will also help your overall physical condition. Many foods promote a restful sleep and are helpful in relieving some of the symptoms of certain sleep disorders. Eating the proper snack before bedtime can increase natural serotonin levels. Serotonin acts as a natural sedative and is made in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Foods that a re rich in tryptophan include chicken, turkey, cheese, cottage cheese, fish, milk, nuts, avocados and bananas.

Many people use herbs and natural supplements as an alternative approach to treating their sleep disorder. There are many nutritional supplements and herbal products on the market. It is important to know how a specific product acts on the body as well as on the specific sleep disorder.. For example many people with restless leg syndrome have an iron or folic acid deficiency. Taking an iron supplement may alleviate some of the symptoms of RLS. Many herbs are well known for promoting a natural sleep. A clamming tea of chamomile or lemon balm can be very relaxing to many people that suffer from a sleep disorder.

Exercise and relaxation techniques, whether used alone or together, can reduce stress and muscle tension. Many people that use these techniques to lessen the symptoms of a sleep disorder do these before going to bed. They not only ease physical tension but they calm the mind and prepare the body to sleep. These techniques include mindful exercise, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises and yoga.

Meditation and visualization are also used by some sufferers of sleep disorders to calm the body before sleep. Two common forms of mediation are meditation on the breath and mantra meditation. Both of these types can have a positive effect on relieving stress and calming the body. Many people focus their energy on a healing visualization as a method of alternative therapy for their sleep disorder.

Sensory techniques that people use to lessen the symptoms of their sleep disorder are hydrotherapy, and aroma therapy. The two main techniques included in hydrotherapy, which means water therapy, are relaxing in an Epsom salt bath and a lymph stimulating footbath. Aroma therapy includes the use of therapeutic essential oils in baths, massage oils, room sprays, and simple inhalants.

Alternative behavioral and cognitive strategies used to combat the symptoms of a sleep disorder include improving a person's sleep hygiene, stimulus control therapy and journal writing.

Alternative practices and techniques can help many types of sleep disorders. Often they are used in conjunction with traditional medication and practices.

A Snoring Appliance That Provides A Solution For Those Sleepless Nights

The most important restorative opportunity for the human body is the period of time during sleep called R.E.M. R.E.M. or rapid eye movement, accounts for 20-25% of adults total sleep time. These cycles last between 90-120 minutes. The typical adult has between 4-5 R.E.M. periods per night. These periods of sleep are absolutely vital to the ongoing health and restorative process of the human body.

Individuals that have chronic sleep problems often are unable to reach this state during nightly sleep routine. For a chronic insomniac or individual that has different chronic sleep problems, the inability to achieve R.E.M. sleep is ongoing; the individual can suffer many different health problems.

Individuals that suffer from chronic snoring are often deprived of the restful and restorative sleep obtained during the R.E.M. period. Snoring is defined as deep breathing combined with the harsh snorting sounds as the soft palate vibrates. There are many variations of snoring such as soft short quiet sounds or loud, harsh snorting and gasping sounds. Snoring is uncomfortable for both the snorer and their partner and with the very audible snorer; the entire household can be disturbed by the sounds.

Medical Technology Creates A Snoring Appliance That Guarantees A Restful Sleep

For the severe snorer, the medical field has identified obstructive sleep apnea as a medical concern. This is a medical condition that occurs when the breathing of the snorer is disrupted to such an extent that breathing is actually stopped during sleep. A snoring appliance has been created to assist sleep apnea victims and restore their sleep patterns and piece of mind; the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, also known as CPAP (pronounced see-pap).

This revolutionary snoring appliance provides continuous positive airway pressure and airflow into the throat, keeping the airway open for clean and quiet breathing and prevents the blockage that was causing the discontinuation of breathing and the apnea to occur. The CPAP system prevents the snoring and apnea and provides everyone with a quiet and restful nights sleep.

It should be noted that the use of the CPAP system as a solution to the snoring and sleep apnea is a lifelong commitment. This snoring appliance must be used nightly to be effective. This is something that requires the ongoing use of the machine to provide the restful sleep that is desired, it does not repair the body but rather assists the body in accomplishing what it is unable to do naturally.

If you discontinue use, the snoring appliance is ineffective and the symptoms will return immediately. However, for those that are willing to make this nightly commitment, the restful sleep you have been seeking is no longer a dream.

A Sleep Study - What to Expect

When sleep apnea is suspected a sleep study is recommended in most cases. It is a very good tool to collect comprehensive information about somebody’s sleep pattern.

Multiple data channels will record certain physiological parameters taken from your sleeping body. These are: blood oxygen saturation, airflow through your nose, chest effort, muscle tension, eye movement, and brain activity.

A number of electrodes and other sensors will be attached to your head and chest, like during a routine EKG. The study usually takes place in a specially equipped room called a sleep lab in a hospital or a sleep clinic. You will be asked to bring your regular sleeping supplies.

When you show up in the lab you will learn all you need to know about the study, you will also have a chance to ask all the questions you may have. The whole procedure is rather relaxing, there is no pain or risk involved. The technician that will work with you wants you to feel comfortable and relaxed so you can have as good a sleep as possible.

The only complication being that, as mentioned before, there will be several electrodes and sensors attached to various places on your body that may be slightly uncomfortable and may limit your freedom of movement.

Once you are in bed all the wires and tubings will be connected to the recording equipment. Usually it is located across the wall in the neighboring room so you are not disturbed by its operation.

At any time if you need to leave the bed the study will be stopped and you will be allowed to leave the room, it will just take a minute to disconnect you from the equipment. Even if you are not able to sleep through the night they will usually collect enough data to come up with a diagnosis.

Most people who have sleep apnea are sleep depraved and fall asleep easily. There will also be a camera and a microphone in the room so the position, movements, and sounds of your body during sleep can be correlated with the recorded data.

Once the study is over all sensors and electrodes will be deattached and you will be free to go home. Within a day or two your study will be scored and the results reviewed by a doctor specializing in sleep disorders.

If the study reveals that you have sleep apnea your doctor will choose the best treatment option based on the severity of your disease and other factors including medical insurance and personal preference.

20 Tips For A Great Night's Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep helps us to be happier, more productive people, so here's some tips to help you get a good night's sleep:

1. Avoid drinking tea or coffee late at night

2. Stop smoking – nicotine is a stimulant and so can make it difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep

3. Go to bed at the same time each night so that you set a routine

4. Only use the bed for sleeping and sex

5. Use dimmers on your light switches, and dim the lights in the hours before you go to bed to mimic the change from daylight to night time

6. Avoid taking exercise in the evening – exercise early in the day to promote restful sleep

7. Try using affirmations, such as: “I let go of the day, and enjoy restful, peaceful sleep” repeated several times while you prepare for sleep

8. If you can’t get to sleep after a while, get up keeping the lights low and do something boring until you feel sleepy

9. Alcohol may help you get to sleep, but you are more likely to wake during the night feeling thirsty and needing to go to the bathroom

10. Try relaxed breathing: breathe slowly and deeply concentrating on your abdomen rather than your chest

11. Get your allergies checked out, particularly if you wake craving particular food in the middle of the night

12. Avoid paying bills and similar jobs just before sleep

13. Try a herbal tea - chamomile, passion flower, lavender flowers or valerian are good, or take a herbal supplement such as scullcap or valerian

14. Put the essential oils lavender and clary sage on your pillow and inhale their soothing vapours as you sleep

15. Try some flower remedies - there are lots of different types. In the Bach flower remedies you might like to try ‘vervain’ if you find it difficult to switch off from the
day; ‘holly’ if anger and resentment keep you awake; ‘white chestnut’ for persistent unwanted thoughts; ‘aspen’ if you wake because of nightmares

16. Try holding your frontal eminences (the bumps on your forehead, about half way between your eyebrows and hairline) if you are awake because of stress

17. Try taking supplements – magnesium and calcium can work well

18. If you suffer with hot flushes/flashes, try some natural support for your endocrine system at this time. I personally recommend Neways wild yam and chaste berry cream

19. Many alternative and complementary therapists have success with people with sleep problems. Find a local therapist and ask them if they have experience in this field

20. Sleep problems can be a sign of an underlying medical condition (e.g. thyroid problems or depression), so get this checked out with a suitably qualified health professional.

Adjustable Bed : For Ideal Position While Sleeping Or Sitting

An ideal position while sleeping or sitting is one where your body muscles are not under tension resulting in complete relaxation. This position can be achieved where the legs and the upper back are slightly on a raised level which distributes the body weight in harmony with gravity. It is here that an adjustable double bed will be highly beneficial as a flat bed will not ease your body tension completely leading to tossing and turning. An adjustable double bed will allow you to sleep and relax in any position that you desire with over 1000 positions to choose from for purposes ranging from sleeping, reading, watching TV, eating or for pure relaxation.

Your daily beauty sleep will not be complete if any of the following four factors namely light, noise, and temperature and of course the bed that you are sleeping on are not up to the desired level. While you may adjust the other three factors according to your desired comfort you won’t be able to do that with the bed unless you have an adjustable bed. Just what you may wonder is an adjustable bed and why would you really need it when you have been sleeping on flat beds all your life. First and foremost you will need to know the ideal positions that our body is naturally accustomed to and the way we abuse it continuously both consciously and unconsciously while not only sleeping but also while sitting and performing any task.

An adjustable double bed comes in two basic types’ latex foam and Innerspring and both types offer the same comfort in different ways. An adjustable bed is highly recommended for people suffering from back pain, poor blood circulation especially in the legs and night time heart burn or acidity. All these problems can be solved with an adjustable bed which would elevate your upper body in the desired angle thus freeing you from circulation and digestion related complications as compared to a flat bed.

An adjustable bed generally comes in a steel frame with riveted joints and a bottom frame that supports the bed completely with special massaging (dual wave) motors. An adjustable bed uses the latest technology in the matter of mattresses like visco memory foam and high density foam that will make you feel as if you are sleeping on air. An adjustable bed can be lowered to as low as 15 inches suitable for children and disabled people.

An adjustable bed is available in single as well as double bed models along with manual, semi-electric and electric controls. The massage options involve different kinds of massages at different speeds with powerful but quiet motors where you can lie down and relax completely from the daily stressful experiences. An adjustable bed comes with a guarantee regarding its various components and is tested for long life and reliability. So check out an adjustable double bed at the earliest and the ultimate sleeping experience is yours along with freedom from tension and stress helping you wake up refreshed each day.

A Mattress Topper for a More Relaxing Sleep

Body aches and pains along with an itching body could cause a person to toss and turn and fail to sleep properly. Insomnia and sleep apnea are other problems that cause sleeping difficulty. Although the mentioned causes of sleep disorders are best treated by medical practitioners, you can do something about it to without the use of medication.

One of the latest inventions that answered the sleep problem is the adjustable bed. Media hype catapulted this technological innovation to the place where it is right now…on top of the list of comfortable sleeping implements.

Not to be left on the wayside, you have probably chosen and bought your very own adjustable bed. For you, this is the answer in your quest to say goodbye to sleeping disorders that have made you feel exhausted every single day of your life. So you are now set and ready for a deep and long hour sleep that you have wanted for so long. Unfortunately, you seem to be a hard core member of the “stay awake club”.

If your sleeping disorder is rooted from using an ordinary mattress that does not offer greater support to the back, neck arms and legs, then a solution to this problem is available for you…the memory foam mattress topper.

A memory foam mattress topper will improve the overall quality of your sleep as these toppers make firm beds more comfortable. These toppers follow the contours of the body and provide a gentle cushioning effect to ensure maximum comfort throughout the night. Pressure on the joints of your arms and hips are created when a person sleeps on his side. Think of the pain it inflicts when you sleep on that same position for hours.

These pressures will be eased with the use of mattress toppers as they act as cushions for those joints. If you sleep on your back these toppers would also provide the spine with the best support.

The mattress topper’s most unique feature is the way it deforms when under a load. It conforms to the shape of your body and “mold” you a perfect fit bed. Any Standard or ordinary foam mattress would compress under load and shortly spring back to its original form when the load is removed. With the memory foam mattress toppers, the shape is held temporarily because of its density. This density would account for the support it gives to the body of the user.

This mattress topper would make your adjustable bed more comfortable. However, this is only possible if the bed is firm, when it is used on top of a very soft bed, it will result to a more uncomfortable sleeping experience. Another characteristic that makes Memory foam the ultimate mattress topper is the ability to soften on contact with a warm body. This would therefore “cradle” the user and provide unparalleled bed comfort.

A Guide to Natural Sleep Aids

Everyone has experienced occasional lost sleep. But, lost sleep on a regular basis is a cause of concern and might be a symptom of insomnia. If you are one of the many suffering from insomnia, you can choose from a wide variety of sleeping aids. One such option you can choose is by using natural sleep aids. These all-natural sleeping aids are usually herbs, foods, or methods that are used to promote sleep. Some of the most popular natural sleeping aids include the following:

Valerian

This herb's use as a sleeping aid can be traced back to centuries ago. Interestingly, valerian works similarly to conventional sleeping pills. By increasing the levels of GABA, a calming neurotransmitter in the brain, valerian induces drowsiness and sleepiness. You can take valerian an hour before bedtime as an extract, tea, or capsule. You can experience its full effect after a week or two of regular intake.

Light

The level of light the body is exposed to produces different reactions. A lot of light signals the body to wake up while a decrease in it induces the body to sleep. However, slight differences in the level of exposure may confuse the body and cause irregular sleep. For example, if you stay indoors with minimal lighting during the day, the body might not recognize the shift between night and day. To increase chances of better sleep, expose yourself to more light by walking around the neighborhood in the morning or early afternoon.

Aromatherapy

This form of therapy relies on your body's response to certain olfactory signals. Scents like lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang work well in calming your body and mind. You can try putting lavender sachets in your pillow or adding lavender oil to your bath water. You can also try sipping chamomile tea before going to bed.

Relaxation Techniques

Insomnia or lack of sleep is often due to the stress you feel. Practicing relaxation techniques prior to your bedtime increases your chances of having a better sleep. Some methods you may want to consider include deep breathing, visualization, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Sleep-friendly Diet

Different foods have varying effects on your sleeping pattern. Whereas caffeine and sugar-rich foods can disrupt your sleep, foods rich in tryptophan and magnesium can help you sleep better and longer. Including foods like milk, turkey, legumes, dark greens, and nuts in your diet is a good way to boost your body's tryptophan and magnesium levels.

Music

According to studies, slow and soft music can soothe and relax the body. By playing soft tunes before bedtime, your body becomes primed for sleep. Sounds of nature like water flowing through rocks or chirping birds are also good choices.

Exercise

Regular physical activity boosts your body's endorphin levels. Endorphins, also known as the body's feel-good hormones, relax and soothe the body. Exercise also relieves muscle tension and stress which promotes deep sleep. However, keep in mind not to exercise close to one's bedtime as this can increase adrenaline levels and induce insomnia.

A better “help-sleep” drug

Have you been tossing and rolling in bed lately? Staring endlessly in the ceiling till the wee hours of the morning while counting sheep? Then you are suffering from sleeping disorder or insomnia. Insomnia can also be defined as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up too early, or waking up feeling worn out. Almost everyone has brief encounters with insomnia. Studies show that about 10% of Americans suffer from insomnia.

Though there are really no concrete causes of insomnia. Experts claim that conditions that may cause it may vary from person to person. Health factors such as heart ailment, sleep apnea, asthma can result in insomnia for some individuals. While environmental factors like a simple sound, an uncomfortable mattress or pillow may cause a difference in the sleep patterns for a few. Diet also plays a role in the development of insomnia. Excess caffeine or food consumed close to bedtime may affect the quality of sleep. Other reasons of insomnia are anxiety, depression, and stress. Be sure to evaluate yourself of the factors mentioned if you are having difficulty in your sleep. However these episodes of sleeplessness usually last for a few nights and the sleep pattern returns to its normal. This happens when the cause of the sleep disturbance is settled. If an individual suffer from insomnia for a month or more, treatment is required to restore the sleeping pattern back to normal

The effects of insomnia are alarming. Poor health, fatigue, impatience, diminished mental alertness and memory, and irritability are some of the common effects of insomnia. Because of the harmful effects of sleep disorder a number of individuals are sometimes forced to miss work or school days. Others often feel exhausted in social gatherings because of lack of sleep.

Several medications have been developed to treat insomnia. Ambien is taken orally immediately before bedtime on an empty stomach or as directed by a physician. Ambien is not intended for long term use and is usually taken for duration of 7 to 10 days. Ambien intake should never be increased or taken for extended periods unless prescribed by your doctor

Common Ambien side effects are daytime drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting, and dry mouth. When you are rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly to avoid dizziness. The use of alcoholic beverages may aggravate the harmful effects of Ambien and should therefore be avoided.

Because Ambien causes drowsiness, it should be used with caution. One should refrain driving or other similar activities while under medication. If other effects of Ambien are noticed other than the ones listed, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Ambien is available on line through drugstoretm.com. Be aware of your body’s physical response to sleep medications. Ambien does not promise normal sleeping patterns after a week or ten-day intake. Immediately discontinue use if acute adverse effects are experienced or if you are unhappy with the result.

Since small amounts of Ambien are found in breast milk, breast feeding mothers are not encouraged to take this drug.

A Sleep Disorder That Affects the Legs - Restless Sleep Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome, known as RLS, is a sleep disorder that afflicts more than 15 percent of adults.
It affects more women than men and the incidence of restless leg syndrome increases with age. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis and varicose veins, also increase the risk of developing restless leg syndrome.

This sleep disorder is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the lower legs, knees and occasionally the arms. Sometimes painful sensations accompany the urge to move. People that suffer from this sleep disorder describe the feelings and sensations in different ways. Many describe a tingling, itching or pulling sensation. Still others say it feels prickly or burns. Some feel as if they have worms crawling under their skin.

The sensations which are typical of this sleep disorder can occur anytime during the day or night.
Restless leg syndrome occurring at night has a devastating effect on sleep. The symptoms can cause the sufferer to get in and out of bed repeatedly which can delay or disrupt sleep. Since sleep in repeatedly interrupted, extreme daytime sleepiness is common.

The combination of always feeling tired and the symptoms themselves can cause a person with restless leg syndrome to alter their lifestyle. Long trips, movies, concerts and eating in restaurants are some of the activities they usually avoid. Attending a long meeting at work can become very painful and uncomfortable. People that have this sleep disorder often suffer from depression.

Researchers believe that restless leg syndrome may be caused by malfunctions of the pathways in the brain that controls movement reflexes and sensations. Often this sleep disorder has a genetic base.

Restless leg syndrome cannot be diagnosed by one single test. Often standard neurological examinations show no signs of an abnormality. In many cases, a doctor makes the diagnosis of restless leg syndrome based on the description of the symptoms. They also take into account family history, and the results of a routine medical examination and blood tests.

Many times the treatment for restless leg syndrome is aimed at controlling the debilitating sensations that accompany this sleep disorder. Often iron supplements are prescribed because severe anemia has been linked to this disorder. Relaxation techniques, diet changes and the elimination of caffeine and alcohol help some sufferers of restless leg syndrome.

In most cases, this sleep disorder is treated with drugs. These drugs could include dopamine agents, benzodiazepines, opioids or anticonvulsants. Medications do not cure restless leg syndrome, but they manage the symptoms. People that suffer from this sleep disorder usually have to stay on their medications for the rest of their lives.

Another sleep disorder similar to restless leg syndrome is periodic limb movement disorder known as PLMD. There are two main differences between restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder. Restless leg syndrome occurs when the sufferer is awake or asleep; periodic limb movement disorder only occurs when the sufferer is asleep. Restless leg syndrome movements are voluntary responses to very unpleasant sensations; the movements of periodic limb movement disorder are involuntary and are not consciously controlled. Both of these sleep disorders can be effectively controlled with medical treatment.