Q: I am having difficulty sleeping because my husband is constantly waking me due to his restless legs. He cannot seem to keep them still. I think it interferes with his sleep as well. Sleeping pills do not seem to help. What causes this and is there any treatment?
A: The problem you describe is known as Ekborn syndrome. Those who have it describe an irresistible urge to move their legs, otherwise they get a tingling or crawly feeling in their calves. It doesn’t just occur at night, but this is when it is most obvious.
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Modern medicine is not sure what causes Ekborn syndrome. It has nothing to do with poor circulation or muscle cramps. Restless legs are not psychosomatic in origin or a result of being overanxious.
Researchers believe it may be caused by abnormal levels of the chemical transmitter dopamine in the central nervous system, which affects unconscious spinal cord reflexes. Iron deficiency may also be implicated.
Dr. K. Ray Chaudhuri, a neurologist at Kings College Hospital in London, England, is an expert in Ekborn syndrome. He believes that chronic sleep deprivation can affect thinking ability, raise anxiety levels and impair daytime functioning. He is working on finding a dopamine-blocking drug that might be helpful.
There has been some experimentation with the use of drugs normally used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, which also has its roots in problems with dopamine in certain parts of the brain. These medications have not yet been approved for Ekborn syndrome.
Have your husband get his blood iron levels checked. If they are low he may need iron supplements. Even taking a regular daily multivitamin with iron might help.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
