What are the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder) ?
This is a chronic condition which occurs in 5-12% of the population. RLS has probably a disease for thousands of years, but it was only first described in the English literature in 1672 by the physician, Sir Thomas Willis. Oppenheim, in 1923, described the disease as a neurological disorder. Dr. Ekbom, a Swedish neurologist, described the condition more fully in1944. The next year, in 1945, he named the disease, Restless Legs Syndrome. Dr. Symonds, in 1953, used the term, Nocturnal Myoclonus, to describe the leg jerks that occur at night. People with this problem complain of discomfort in their legs (sometimes even arms) that is difficult to describe (often described as “ants crawling up the insides of my legs”) and control. The discomfort makes them want to move their legs ( to get up and walk or often even resorting to vigorous exercise) to gain relief. Their legs feel “restless” and this may be associated with other unpleasant sensations including “pins and needles”, muscle twitchin
