LOCAL
A5
Feeling Restless? It might not be ‘in your head’ Roswell Daily Record
EASTERN NEW MEXICO MEDICAL CENTER STAFF ARTICLE
We all remember childhood days of being instructed to “quit wiggling” or “just sit still.” While most people grow out of these squirmy tendencies, many adults still struggle with jittery, toe-tapping jumpiness – and the problem isn’t anxiety or that extra cup of coffee. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition characterized by the irresistible urge to move one’s limbs – usually the legs – while at rest, and affects up to 10 percent of the nation’s population. An additional 2 to 3 percent of American adults – around 5 million people – have severe RLS that af fects quality of life and their ability to function on a daily basis.
Symptoms
RLS is characterized by an uncomfortable pulling, creeping, or itchy sensation in the legs (and sometimes, the arms or other parts of the body), that is only relieved by moving the af fected limb(s). People
have described RLS as a feeling of “creepy-crawly,” “tugging,” or “gnawing.” Symptoms come and go, and vary in severity, but are usually more noticeable when sitting or lying down. Because of this, RLS can lead to sleep deprivation and stress. More than 80 percent of people with RLS also experience a more common condition known as periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS), according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). PLMS involves involuntary leg twitching or jerking movements during sleep, typically occurring every 15 to 40 seconds, sometimes throughout the entire night. These symptoms cause repeated awakening and severely disrupts sleep. The most distinctive symptom of RLS is the need to move the limb – at night, while lying down, and the disappearance of symptoms in the morning. According to NINDS, other triggers are periods of inactivity such as long car trips, sitting at a concert or theater, airline flights, or
Thursday, August 11, 2011
and certain medications such as anti-nausea drugs, antidepressants, psychiatric medications and some cold and allergy medicines that contain antihistamines.
Diagnosis & Treatment
immobilization in a cast.
Causes
The cause of RLS is unknown, but the disorder is thought to be hereditary. Research indicates that a gene variation or low levels of iron in the brain may be factors in the development of RLS. RLS can begin at any age, but most often begins around middle age, occurs more often in women than in men, and runs in families. Symptoms typically become more frequent and obvious with age. In children, pediatric RLS is frequently attributed to “growing pains” or misdiagnosed as attention deficit disorder (ADD). However, ADD is also seen in many children and adults with RLS. Adult RLS symptoms are often
incorrectly diagnosed as nervousness, insomnia, stress, arthritis, muscle cramps, or aging.
RLS is also linked to other chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, kidney failure, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage to the hands or feet) and diabetes, although it’s unknown if these diseases cause RLS. An RLS diagnosis does not mean that the patient will develop one of these chronic conditions; rather, patients with these chronic conditions often experience RLS as a consequence of the disease. RLS can develop during the last trimester of pregnancy, but generally disappears after the baby’s birth. Other triggers include an iron deficiency; alcohol; sleep deprivation;
RLS is diagnosed through a neurological and physical exam, including an individual and family medical history, blood tests for iron and vitamin deficiencies as well as other chronic diseases typically associated with RLS, and in some cases, a sleep study. During a sleep study, a patient’s brain waves, heartbeat, breathing, and limb movements can help identify the presence of RLS or other causes of sleep disruption. While there is no cure for RLS, it can be controlled through medication or lifestyle changes. T reatment focuses on relieving symptoms, and may include treating any related medical conditions (such as diabetes) to lessen RLS symptoms. Mild or moderate RLS can also be managed with lifestyle changes:
• Reduced intake of caffeine, alcohol and tobacco • Vitamin supplements to correct iron, folate and magnesium deficiencies • Setting and maintaining good sleep habits • Moderate exercise • Massage • Hot baths, or a heating pad or ice pack To lear n more, visit enmmc.com; click on “Health Resources” and “Interactive Tools,” and take a quiz on Sleep: Test Your Knowledge. Or, call one of our primary care offices to visit with a physician. ENMMC’s primary care doctors can be found at primarycaredoctors.net. Remember that this information is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor, but rather to increase awareness and help equip patients with information and facilitate conversations with your physician that will benefit your health. Sources: National Institute of Neurological Disorand Stroke, ders ninds.nih.gov, Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, www.rls.org, WebMD, webmd.com
RHS booster club bowling night, Outreach Stitchers and more
The Roswell High School Cheer Booster Club will host a Rock and Bowl on Aug. 11 from 8:30 to 11 p.m. at Town and Country Bowling Alley. The cost is $10 per person. Only high school students will be admitted. For more information call 637-3200.
Home-School Curriculum Swap
First Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall; 400 W. Third St. will be having a home-schooling curriculum swap and back to school party Aug. 11 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring any curriculum they no longer want. For more information call 625-1137.
Outreach Stitchers
Remnant Piecemakers, a partner of Sisters and Brothers in Stitches, will meet at the Senior Circle
Gott
Continued from Page A4
at my upper chest and on up. I never wear clothing that covers my neck. I sleep with my shoulders free of even the narrow straps of my gowns. Sometimes I wonder if I am ever destined to enter assisted-living or a hospital and am forced to sleep with my neck and upper chest area covered, I could possibly have a stroke or other serious consequences. I have severe osteoarthritis and take diclofenac, Calcitonin nasal spray, atenolol, simvastatin, multivitamins plus B and C, fish oil, aspirin, calcium, magnesium and melatonin. DEAR READER: Hot flashes are most noticeable in the area of the head and neck. They can result from hor monal changes such as declining estrogen levels, the use of some medications, cancer and severe infection. Publish your ad in English and Spanish in the Daily Record. Call 622-7710.
Publíque su anuncio en Español e Inglés en el Daily Record al 622-7710.
facility Aug. 12 at 9 a.m. Anyone who can tie a double knot, sew, crochet, knit or quilt will fit right in. All age groups are welcome. For more information, call ENMMC Senior Circle at 623-2311.
Kymera Urgent Care
Kymera Urgent Care will be opening Aug. 12, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 402 W. Country Club Rd. For more information call 627-9595.
RMAC
The Roswell Museum and Art Center is pleased to present its 2011 Invitational Exhibition, Natural Beauty. Join us at the reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibition and to honor the work of these notable artists on Friday, Aug. 12, 5-7 p.m. The exhibition runs through December 4. For more information call 624-6744. The Calcitonin you are on can cause flushing of the face and hands, while simvastatin can cause flushing, redness and warmth. Unless there is some compelling reason why you are on your supplements, I suggest you consider dropping the B, C, calcium and magnesium, which should be included in your multivitamin. You shouldn’t have to suffer with this annoying problem any longer. Speak with your physician to determine if he or she can switch you to other medications free of these symptoms. Then ask if he endorses your supplements or agrees with the reduction. Dr. Peter H. Gott is a retired physician and the author of several books, including “Live Longer, Live Better,” “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet” and “Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,” which are available at most bookstores or online. His website is www.AskDrGottMD.com.
Christ Church
Brad Scott from Wildbranch ministries will be hosting “Paul: Apostle or Falsely Accused” Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Christ Chuch, 2200 N. Sycamore. For more information call 5701-6120.
Concerts in the Park
This is the last concert of the summer, closing out this event will be Ritmo Latino Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m. at Cahoon Park. For more information call 624-6719.
The Gig
Honoring our lord Jesus Christ hosted by the Salva-
Rahn
Continued from Page A4
tion Ar my August 12, 7 p.m. at the Chaves County Courthouse lawn. For more information call 622-8700.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army will be having a pancake breakfast buffet Aug. 13, from 7 to 11 a.m. at 612 W. College Blvd. The cost is $5 per person. For more information call 622-8700.
RMAC
Artist and poet Ana Maria Hernando will read from a selection of her poems in English and Spanish at a luncheon in celebration of the exhibition opening of Natural
wanting to close “tax loopholes” for private jet owners and oil companies. These loopholes turn out to be nothing more than amortizations of capital expenses (i.e., being allowed to recover your investment before being taxed on it), which is necessary for any business investment. There is no more expensive aircraft in the world than Air Force One (the president’s Boeing 747). Can you imagine the howls if Congress insisted that the full cost of using Air Force One — including depreciation and all of the associated personnel — be charged to the president for any political or other non-essential use of the aircraft, rather than reimbursement at the rate of equivalent airfares, which is the current practice? As long as the government continues to grow faster than the economy — as it has been doing — there is no tax increase that can solve the problem. It is delusional — or irresponsible — to think that the kind of tax increases the president has talked about would do anything serious to solve the debt situation — and would, instead, make the unemployment problem worse. Steven Rattner, a former Obama Treasury official and one of the key architects of the current economic mess who is now a TV commentator on MSNBC, called the tea party folks “terrorists,” as have other leading Democrats. Despite the empirical evidence and his own forecasts, Mr. Rattner continues to exhibit a certain form of delusion called “cognitive dissonance,” by insisting that higher levels of spending and taxes will increase employment. Who is more of an economic “terrorist” — a person who insists on not increasing an unsustainable debt without a credible plan to bring it down, or someone who insists on continuing to follow policies that have only led to more unemployment and almost non-existent growth?
Beauty at the Roswell Museum and Art Center on Aug. 13, at 11:30 a.m. The fee for this event is $15. To sign up or for more information, please stop by the Museum or call 624-6744 ext 10.
RMAC
Join Tempe artist Susan Beiner as she leads a twoday, hands-on workshop for constructing playful sculptural forms Aug. 13 and 14 at the Roswell Museum and Art Center. This workshop is open to all levels. The fee is $85 and includes materials. Participants may attend the luncheon and poetry read-
ing for an additional $5. To sign up or for more information, please stop by the Museum or call 624-6744 ext 10.
Farmers Market
The Main Street Roswell Far mer’s Market will be open Aug. 13, from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Chaves County Courthouse Lawn, corner Fourth Street and Main. For more information call 420-5718.
You may have heard comments by some Democratic elected of ficials or seen some of the TV ads that demand that we make no changes in Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the other entitlements. Government actuaries show that without reform, the entitlements will eat up the entire federal budget and then the economy. One of the ads is sponsored by a labor-unionaffiliated group. I called the group to ask for its alternative to any proposed changes to these entitlements. I spoke to a fellow in its policy shop who did not dispute my numbers, but who told me that his organization was just demanding no cutbacks and it was up to others to come up with a solution. Hmmm, if someone ran ads demanding that the length of daylight be the same in January as in June, but had no proposal for accomplishing the impossible, you would correctly think they were delusional. It is amazing the way the establishment media has largely overlooked the fact that more than half of the Democrats voted against the budget-ceiling compromise, for the most part, because they did not like even the small cutbacks in spending. But a smaller percentage of Republicans voted against the bill because they correctly saw it as insufficient to deal with the budget problem, and yet they are called “delusional.” Who are the ones really denying reality? We know from studies of cognitive dissonance that many who have invested a great deal in bad ideas, like those who predict with certainty a date when the world will come to an end, will continue to defend these false beliefs — with some lame excuse — when the date comes and goes. The people who claim that more and more government spending, taxing and regulation will bring economic salvation in higher growth and more jobs are equally false and destructive prophets. Richard W. Rahn is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and chairman of the Institute for Global Economic Growth.
Considering a career in Massage Therapy??
Then give us a call!! We will be holding an Introductory Class on August 16th from 6-10 p.m. for $50 (fee can be applied to tuition), and classes will begin on August 20th. Classes will run from the middle of August until the first part of June, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-10 p.m. and every other weekend. If you are interested, please contact us at: Artesia Family Wellness Center Massage Therapy School RMTS #030 412 W. Main St., Artesia, NM 88210 Call 575-746-3662 or 575-308-3579 or email Rick at afwc@hotmail.com