Condition Lookup

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Sub-Category:

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Symptoms:
uncomfortable sensations in the legs; urge to move the legs; worsening symptoms during rest or at night; temporary relief with movement

Root Cause:
Dysregulation of dopamine pathways in the brain; may also be related to iron deficiency or other underlying medical conditions.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on the four cardinal diagnostic criteria; may include blood tests to assess iron levels or other contributing factors.

Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications, treatment of underlying conditions (e.g., iron supplementation for deficiency), and pharmacotherapy.

Medications:
Dopamine agonists (e.g., pramipexole , ropinirole ) and alpha-2-delta calcium channel ligands (e.g., gabapentin , pregabalin ) are commonly used. Iron supplements are prescribed if deficiency is present.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 5%-10% of the general population, with higher rates in older adults and women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, pregnancy, iron deficiency, and certain medical conditions (e.g., kidney disease).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms are manageable with treatment, but chronic cases may require ongoing care.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue, and reduced quality of life.

Circadian Rhythm Disturbances

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Geriatric Syndromes

Sub-category: Sleep Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty maintaining a regular sleep-wake cycle; frequent daytime sleepiness; insomnia; sleep disturbances at night; disorientation in sleep timing

Root Cause:
These disturbances occur when there is a misalignment between an individual's internal body clock and the external environment, often due to aging, neurological disorders, or irregular lifestyle patterns.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves reviewing the patient's sleep patterns, possibly through actigraphy or sleep diaries, and may include polysomnography or tests for underlying medical conditions.

Treatment:
Treatment focuses on resetting the internal clock through light therapy, melatonin supplementation, and improving sleep hygiene. Behavioral therapy or CBT-I may also be useful.

Medications:
Medications may include melatonin supplements (a hormone that helps regulate sleep-wake cycles) and other sleep aids like zolpidem or eszopiclone . These medications help adjust the sleep cycle and promote restfulness.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Circadian rhythm disturbances affect a significant number of older adults, particularly those with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, shift work, travel across time zones (jet lag), neurological disorders, and certain medications.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate interventions, such as light therapy or medication, circadian rhythm disturbances can often be improved. However, in some cases, they may persist and require ongoing management.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Untreated circadian rhythm disturbances can lead to sleep deprivation, cognitive decline, mood disorders, and an increased risk of falls.