 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Your resource for specialty nutritional supplements, books, DVDs, resources for better living, health news & more! |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
Search our extensive library for information, solutions & support
|
|
|
|
|
by Source: www.excite.com and www.healthwell.com
January 1, 1999
One of the conditions that worsens the already-poor sleep of those with Fibromyalgia (FM) is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Yet, there is good news from the pharmeceutical front: Pramipexole, a proven Parkinson's disease treatment, is producing dramatic success stories in treating RLS.
RLS manifests itself as burning, tingling sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. Since this occurs especially at rest, RLS can cause sleep deprivation and chronic fatigue – symptoms that only amplify the negative effects of FM. RLS seems to be linked to the reduced activity of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger vital for short-term memory, involuntary movements, muscle tone and spontaneous physical reactions. It also mediates the release of growth hormone and dictates muscular movement. Without enough dopamine, muscles stiffen, as displayed in the case of Parkinson's disease--a disorder caused, in part, by destruction of the brain cells that synthesize dopamine. Pramipexole, which mimics the effects of dopamine, was already proven effective in Parkinson's patients and then tested on those with RLS.
Researchers at the Sleep Studies Center at the Hospital du Sacr-Couer de Montreal in Quebec, Canada, administered pramipexole (or a placebo) to 10 RLS patients over two, four-week periods. Results were better than impressive. Nine out of ten patients taking pramipexole reported a complete disappearance of RLS symptoms and the tenth patient reported a "major improvement in symptoms." In relationship to the positive results, the drawbacks were minimal: most patients reported mild gastrointestinal side effects (nausea and vomiting) lasting no more than one week. That just might be a small price to pay in exchange for a peaceful nights' sleep.
Material for this story taken from www.excite.com and www.healthwell.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Chocolate's Potential Health Benefits – and its Effect on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients [more]
USDA Food Guide Pyramid [more]
Friday, Dec 5: Live Chat with ME/CFS Research Expert Suzanne Vernon, PhD – “Working to Translate Sci... [more]
Vitamin D Experts' “Call to Action” Urges Major RDA Increase to 2000 IU [more]
Vitamin D and mood disorders among women: An integrative review - Source: Journal of Midwifery and W... [more]
|
|
|
|
|
|
