#169 - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: Out At Night Moving

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
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• Threads: @drchriswinter
• Bluesky: @drchriswinter
• The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child

Thanks for listening and sleep well!