Andy Berkowski, MD of ReLACS Health reviews the major ways to increase iron levels in the body via the digestive system to help manage restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Opioids are a mainstay of treatment for moderate-to-severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) when first-line medications have not worked. @andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health explains the benefits of buprenorphine among opioid medications and provides some initial results from his study of patients treated with buprenorphine.
Did your doctor just tell you that you need a sleep study and have to sleep overnight at a sleep center? Do you really need to do this? @andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health discusses the medical reasons for having an overnight sleep study (polysomnogram or PSG).
@andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health summarizes the process for tapering off dopamine agonist medications for patients and their healthcare providers.
Naps are controversial in the sleep world. @andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health tackles the challenging question of whether they are good or bad for your sleep. Perhaps, the truth lies somewhere in between?
Non-medication treatments like wearable devices are a highly sought-after treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS). @andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health summarizes the newest device from Noctrix Health (Nidra®) that uses peroneal nerve stimulation to relieve symptoms of RLS. It is now available in select states in the US with more coming each month.
The class of drugs that includes gabapentin (Neurontin®) and Horizant® are now the consensus first-line medications in the medical treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS) along with pregabalin (Lyrica®). Horizant is FDA approved for RLS but gabapentin is more widely prescribed by physicians. What's the difference between these two drugs? (Hint: not as much as you think, but in some cases it may make a difference!)
With the ongoing opioid crisis and the War on Drugs, opioid/pain/narcotic medications, which have legitimate and important medical uses have become blacklisted in the medical field. Dr. Berkowski of ReLACS Health goes over 5 reasons why many of those suffering with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have difficulty finding medical professionals willing to prescribe these medications.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) can be another major breathing disorder that occurs when sleeping, second in frequency to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Some forms of this condition can be serious, but are all forms of central sleep apnea pathological? Andy Berkowski, MD of ReLACS Health describes circumstances under which central sleep apnea can be seen on a sleep study (polysomnogram/PSG) but should not be worrisome.
@andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health explains the sleep condition called REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) including what is observed, how it is diagnosed and treated, and the potential causes.
Andy Berkowski, MD of ReLACS Health describes how iron supplements can be taken most effectively in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS).
We all have had nights in which we seem to toss and turn. But what is actually taking place from a physiologic standpoint with our sleep? @andyberkowskimd of ReLACS Health reviews what sleep specialists call sleep fragmentation.