Anyone Know What Causes Jumpy Legs At Night?

[slobberknocker]

This is for my mom. She's been complaining recently of having "jumpy" legs at night when she's trying to go to sleep.


Does anyone know what causes this, and how it can be fixed?


Doesn't it have something to do with a deficiency in some vitamin or mineral, or something?


Thanks.

 

[rsnoble]

I dont have that problem, but I do often get that big "jolt" right before passing up and about jump out of the damn bed. It's natural though, something about your nerves shutting off to soon or some kinda crap I remember reading about.

 

[HULKSTER]

Or it could have something to do with blood circulation slowing down as your heart rate decreases as you are about to fall asleep. Thus, your blood pumps at a slower rate, and has more difficulty traveling through your body if you have high blood pressure or outright diabetes. I should know....I had juvenile diabetes, and am now a LPN. Then again, MOST of the people, especially the elderly, that I have come across with this condition just have "jumpy legs", as rsnoble put it. Muscles and nerves tend to twitch a bit as you are about to go to sleep, and while you are sleeping as well......note REM sleep.

 

[slobberknocker]

Thanks guys.


So, is there anything she can do to help get rid of this problem?

 

[ajtomasi]

Thanks guys.


So, is there anything she can do to help get rid of this problem?

yes, accept your homosexuality.

 

[slobberknocker]

yes, accept your homosexuality.

Me or her?

 

[supersizeme]

It might be Restless Leg Syndrome.

I have RLS, and its symptoms sound like what your mom is going through. There are certain times when I can't keep my legs still because if I do, it becomes excrutiatingly uncomfortable. I have to move or reposition them every 5-10 seconds, or I go insane from discomfort. It happens mainly when I'm trying to go to sleep or when I'm sitting in a confined space like on an airplane. Airplanes are the worst because there's only so much you can do as far as moving or reposition the legs. Everyone calls bullshit on me when I tell them about RLS, but it's real. I haven't looked into any treatment for it, but there's a website dedicated to it --> www.rls.org

 

[Scarlett33]

There is a condition called restless leg syndrome. may be this is her problem. I think it can have many causes and treatments. You might try searching under 'restless leg syndrome' there is a lot of info there

 

[HULKSTER]

Thanks guys.


So, is there anything she can do to help get rid of this problem?

First, she should go see a doctor, just in case. In the meantime, she should try to do some walking. Not exercise per say, just cardiovascular exercise directed at improving the body's overall blood circulation----especially in the legs. Walking, just for 30 minutes a day, will give your mother fantastic results in terms of improving her blood circulation, weight loss and having the ability to sleep better. Not to be a dick to Supersizeme or anyone else, but RLS is a continuous problem throughtout the day; "jumpy legs", especially at night, is confined to periods of poor blood circulation. This usually occurs when the body's blood pressure decreases, whether while sleeping, or just lying/sitting still---as in an airplane. However, RLS is seperate from poor blood circulation due to lack of exercise/movement or a diabetic condition. She should go see a doctor to find out the difference.

 

[supersizeme]

There is a condition called restless leg syndrome. may be this is her problem. I think it can have many causes and treatments. You might try searching under 'restless leg syndrome' there is a lot of info there

You complete me.

 

[slobberknocker]

Thanks supersizeme and Scarlett33. That sounds like what she has. I'll tell her to check out that website.


Hulkster, she does work out 4-5 days a week now. She's been doing that for a couple months, and already looks and feels much better.

 

[Scarlett33]

You complete me.