Periodic Limb Movement Disorder - Causes
Primary PLMD has no known cause, while secondary PLMD is caused by an underlying medical condition.
The exact cause of PLMD has not been clearly understood.
Periodic limb movement disorder can be primary or secondary.
Primary PLMD has no known cause. It has been linked to abnormalities in the regulation of nerves traveling from the brain to the limbs, but the exact nature of these abnormalities is not understood.
Secondary PLMD, on the other hand, is caused by an underlying medical condition, some of which are listed below:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Iron deficiency
- Spinal cord tumor
- Spinal cord injury
- Sleep apnea syndrome
- Narcolepsy
- Uremia
- Anemia
- Medications – Such as
- Anti-depressants
- Lithium
- Dopamine-receptor antagonists
- (e.g., some anti-nausea medications)
Withdrawal from sedative medications such as barbiturates or benzodiazepines (such as Valium)
