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Show ELS: the motion producer By Virginia Harrington Express Feature Writer , are seen They everywhere throughout the world, these people who seem to be in constant motion. They may be the gentleman flying First class who paces from one end of the airplane to the other or the secretary with bruises on her knees from continually bumping the bottom of her desk. They are the teenagers who cant sit still in class. And they are the night walkers, around and around their back yard or up and down the hallway of their home. They are erroneously labeled as nervous types and are often mistakenly put on tranquilizers by their physicians. They are the 15 million Americans, plus countless others from who suffer worldwide, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). It has plagued humans for thousands of years and the symptoms are described in several ancient medical records. However, RLS was not recognized and classified as a disease condition until about 60 years ago. Even then, it was ignored by most physicians and medical researchers until the last decade. To date there has been only one book written on the condition, SLEEP THIEF, restless legs syndrome by Virginia N. Wilson, edited by Arthur Walters, M.D. (available from Galaxy Books). RLS is chronic and progresses with age. More than half its sufferers develop the condition during middle age but up to 40 percent of those diagnosed with RLS report the symptoms before age 20. It has even been diagnosed in some infants. Symptoms range from mild to severe and it seens that the younger the onset of symptoms, the more severe they become. Little is known about the pathology of RLS or even which parts of the nervous system are involved but there is evidence that the cerebellum and thalamus are activated during RLS symptoms. It appears to be a genetic condition, inherited as an autosomal dominant (meaning it only has to be inherited from one parent and is not connected to the sex chromosomes of X and Y). Recent studies cast suspicion on chromosomes 5 and 10. RLS is not considered life threatening but is an irritating, persistent condition that damages quality of life. When at rest, the legs (and sometimes the arms) of RLS sufferers are afflicted with unusual or even weird sensations referred to in RLS Support groups as the creepy crawlies. This is the feeling that bugs or worms are creeping through the flesh of the legs and the only way to stop the sensation is to move the limbs, thus the constant walking of its victims. Some people describe these symptoms as an overpowering need to stretch the muscles of the legs and those with the most severe cases describe it as pain. Indeed, for some unfortunate individuals who develop nearly continuous muscle cramps from RLS, the pain is very real. In addition to the creepy crawlies, PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder) is often associated with RLS. PLMD causes uncontrolled jerking of the legs when at rest (and sometimes arms), which is not the movesame as the ment made to relieve the creepy crawlies. The combination of these symptoms makes sitting to read a book, watch a movie or even eat a meal, an exercise in torture. Traveling by car or plane can become abject misery. It also makes sleep nearly, impossible. People with RLS are lucky to sleep one or two hours at a time. RLS alone can cause up to 50 ls from sleep per hour, not waking the person completely but disturbing sleep sufficiently to cause daytime fatigue. Those who also have PLMD can actually be awakened from sleep 25 times or more per hour, that is if they are able to get to sleep at all. Many people in online support groups claim to find relief from RLS by doing two things at one time. They may sew, string beads or even paint while watching television. While traveling they listen to music or books on tape while making pedaling motions with their legs. One letter writer to an online support group wrote, If I could sew while sleeping I'd be in good shape. No matter how many remedies there are for the symptoms while awake, there are very few that work while sleeping. Drugs for Parkinsons, given in low doses, bring relief to most RLS victims. Mirapex and Requip are currently the first drugs of choice. Some opiate derivatives have bem used with limited success but they cany the danger of addiction. Anticonvulsants have helped some sufferers but most complain of a semi-volunta- micro-arousa- 3PY UBCA students win in Riverdale total lack of understanding from co workers, friends, family, As even and physicians. employers soon as they say, It isnt really pain, all sympathy and understanding seem to stop. Statements such as, Im too tired, or, I only slept three hours last night. meet with cold, unsympathetic stares after awhile. There are currently two major studies, one in California and one in Georgia, being conducted that will hopefully shed more light on this chronic condition that afflicts up to eight percent of the people of the world. rebound affect, or a worsening of daytime symptoms when anticonvulsants are taken at bedtime. One of the problems with medications is that they may work for months or even years and then suddenly become ineffective. That starts the search for the right combination of drugs all over again. Unfortunately, they also have frequent side affects. For example, many people on Mirapex complain of constantly feeling like they have the flu. Some drugs should be avoided completely by those diagnosed with RLS andor PLMD. Antihistamines and cold remedies top that list, along with caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Drugs that cure nausea, such as Reglan, should be avoided as well as most antidepressants (although, surprisingly, antidepressants actually help some RLS sufferers while making the symptoms worse for most.) The small amount of caffeine in chocolate puts that sweet on the list of things to avoid. There is some evidence that the mono and diglycerides in ice cream worsen the symptoms so chocolate sundaes are out for people with RLS. Many RLS patients complain that the greatest difficulty associated with their condition is the almost Several students front Uintah Basm Christian Academy recently took part in a district spelling bee sponsored by the Association of Christian Schools. The event was held in Riverdale. The big w inner was Riley Todich who won first place in the round off competition between the first place winners in grades five through eight. He will represent the schix)l in the ACS regional competition March 8. Riley also won first place in his seventh grade division. Stacy Montgomery won first place in the third grade division. Kelby Molina won second in the first grade division. Troy Murray took second place among second graders and Joshua Adams took second in the fourth grade division. . Stacy Montgomery, Kelby Molina, Troy Murray, (front) Riley Todich and Joshua Adams (back) were winners in the Association of Christian School district spelling bee in Riverdale. ACCU WsHTrsw Forecast for Beginning trough advanced) social dance classes offered $50 per couple. Participants must be 16 or older. A minimum of four participants must be registered to run the class and space is limited. Participants must register by Feb. Uintah Recreation is now offering ballroomsocial dance a for class beginning through advanced participants. The class will be taught by Gwen Peterson at Uintah High School in the dance studio Tuesday evenings 7:30-8:3- 0 p.m. The class begins Feb. 8 and runs for six weeks, until March 16. The registration fee is $30 per person or six-we- Vernal, UT Forecast Local Plastic pedals keep the legs moving and decrease the symptoms for a Restless Legs Syndrome patient trying to enjoy a television show. February 5, 2003 - February 1 2003 ACCUW63th6f.com 1 o o Partial sun and windy Mostly cloudy Mostly cloudy, flumes. J Wednesday Thursday HI City Full Last I I Tab. Fab. 16 Feb 23 New o Mar. maps, forecasts and data provided by AccuWeather, Inc 2003 All The exclusive AccuWeather composite of the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine precipitation, and elevation on the human body Wednesday 8 am. Noon 6 p.m. . . 21 . 20 10 ... . HI r Register at the recreation office in the Chamber of Commerce building, 134 W. Main, Suite 101 or call 2 for more information. 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UT Evanston WY Moon Phases First Partly sunny Regional Travelers Cities Moon Sun 14. 1 A5 Wednesday, February 5, 2003 Vernal Express ." s pc 44 30 42 34 38 35 25 25 42 35 Lo W 2S pc 8 c 7 16 I 7 c tf 14 pc 11 39 8 c 64 47 6 35 19 c 48 If 37 6 C 37 . 1 6 39 1 C 27 13 6 35 8 C 38 10 Vi 55 35 C 69 28 4- r tee $1,499 THE ONUfJHING jO - Announcing TANF ... f'A k (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families!) - ? j 'Si rtZA ' S, a Up to $2,000 In tuHtoiVbooks & cost of living assistance! Must have dependent child under 1 8 living in . household & meet eligibility requirements. THE MOST AFFORDABLE JOHN DEERE LAWN TRACTORS Now you can get John Deere rehablity and durability, at g Series offers welded frames for a smooth, $2,000 toward a professional truck driving career! $2,000 to train as a computer specialist! All CIBATCs programs qualify! 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Your safety matters to us. For a copy of our safety booklet. Electricity 101, call ft UTAH C 59 0 e CANTimiROISTO to School but ... MONEY is a Problem? tri 7 c 781-098- Want to Go Back c 19 Weather (W) sunny pc partly cloudy reforms tf snow flumes tn snow pe POWER Making It happen. Ca. |