We’ve all seen it—or maybe we’ve been told we do it: twitching, jerking, or kicking in the night. But when does this common sleep quirk cross the line into a diagnosable condition? In this episode, we will:
- Define Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and explain how it differs from simple nighttime movements
- Explore its surprising prevalence in both adults and children—and its strong ties to Restless Legs Syndrome
- Review leading theories of cause, from dopamine to iron to spinal generators
- Highlight intriguing new research, including cardiovascular links and AI-based detection
- Discuss treatment strategies—from iron replacement to dopaminergic medications and lifestyle approaches
Produced by: Maeve Winter
More
- Twitter: @drchriswinter
- IG: @drchriwinter
- Threads: @drchriswinter
- Bluesky: @drchriswinter
- The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child
Thanks for listening and sleep well!
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