May 15, 2001
To Sleep, Perchance to Twitch
Periodic limb movement is common
Bobby Darin might have been on to something when he sang about "tossing and turning all night."
If you are over 65, there's about a one-in-three chance you suffer from a condition called "periodic limb movements" during your sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
While it's not considered serious in itself, the condition can lead to insomnia and a feeling of sleepiness during the day.
There are medications that can treat the syndrome, so you should check with your doctor. Otherwise, you might find yourself sleeping alone.