Try: Hiv and aids are increasingly common in older persons and care recipients crs hiv short for human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that kills cells in the immune system the system that fights diseases once the cr’s immune system is weakened to the point where he or she gets certain types of life-threatening diseases infections and cancers you have what is called aids short for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome aids is the most advanced stage of hiv infection if there there’s any chance of infection for hiv the cr should be tested because now there are drugs that may help your body keep the hiv in check and help fight off aids many crs do not have any symptoms when they are first infected with hiv it can take as little as a few weeks for minor flu-like symptoms to show up or as long as 10 years or more for more serious symptoms symptoms can include headache chronic cough diarrhea swollen glands lack of energy loss of appetite and weight loss frequent fevers and sweats among others a cr age 50 and older may not recognize hiv symptoms because he or she thinks the feelings that are being experienced are a normal part of aging information references adapted from www webmd com

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Keywords: Hiv aids sexual health

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: To fully prepare for treatment or prevention the Care recipient (cr) should have a good understanding of hiv aids there is no cure for hiv aids once one is infected there are a number of medical treatments available to help keep the hiv virus in check and to help guard against aids early medical treatment is important especially for middle-aged and older crs the doctor or medical provider can give information about the kinds of treatments available doctors and medical providers should talk to crs about the risk of hiv aids get the cr cr’s sex and drug histories and encourage hiv testing if there is any chance that the cr has been infected remind the cr that hiv aids is all about behaviors by practicing all the following behaviors the cr can greatly reduce the risk of getting hiv aids if the cr is having sex make sure to have any partner tested use male or female condoms latex or polyurethane during sex do not share needles or any other drug-use paraphernalia if the cr or a partner had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985 or an operation or blood transfusion in a developing country at any time get tested information references adapted from www webmd com

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*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Many of the medications used to treat parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome rls in care recipient’s cr although different medical conditions the symptoms do respond to similar medications dopaminergic agents drugs that increase dopamine largely used to treat parkinson parkinson’s disease have been shown to reduce symptoms of rls two medications have been have been approved by the us food and drug administration fda for the treatment of restless legs syndrome pramipexole mirapex and ropinirole requip these medications originally used to treat parkinson’s disease reduce the amount of motion in your legs by boosting your dopamine levels or mimicking its effect in the brain other parkinson’s drugs that are sometimes used to treat restless legs syndrome rls include sinemet carbidopa levodopa cabergoline and pergolide side effects of parkinson parkinson’s medications for restless legs syndrome include nausea lightheadedness fatigue and an increased risk of heart disease information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Restless legs sleep parkinson parkinson’s

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Try: Unfortunately many care recipient’s cr diagnosed with restless legs syndrome rls will look for a quick solution to the symptoms medication is a common option however medications are often not totally effective in addition many people with rls find that even medications that work initially become less effective over time it’s also important to be aware of potential side effects such as nausea headache and daytime sleepiness before the cr uses medication for treatment make sure the cr has considered the following questions have you given self-help a fair shot at non-medication treatments have you considered how medication side effects may impact your life have you weighed the pros and cons of medication vs lifestyle changes have you talked to your doctor about existing health conditions and drugs you’re taking information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Sleeping problems restless legs

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Restless legs syndrome rls treatment often focuses initially on the care recipient’s cr physical condition or lifestyle however if there is no underlying condition and lifestyle changes don’t bring enough relief the doctor will likely consider medication for the cr the following are medications to avoid while receiving treatment for rls over-the-counter sleeping pills antihistamines found in many cold and allergy pills anti-nausea medications calcium channel blockers used for high blood pressure and heart problems antidepressants antipsychotics used for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia note if the cr is on any of these medications discuss it with the doctor before getting rls treatment information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Sleeping problems restless legs

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Many of the medications used to treat parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome rls in care recipient’s cr although different medical conditions the symptoms do respond to similar medications dopaminergic agents drugs that increase dopamine largely used to treat parkinson parkinson’s disease have been shown to reduce symptoms of rls two medications have been have been approved by the us food and drug administration fda for the treatment of restless legs syndrome pramipexole mirapex and ropinirole requip these medications originally used to treat parkinson’s disease reduce the amount of motion in your legs by boosting your dopamine levels or mimicking its effect in the brain other parkinson’s drugs that are sometimes used to treat restless legs syndrome rls include sinemet carbidopa levodopa cabergoline and pergolide side effects of parkinson parkinson’s medications for restless legs syndrome include nausea lightheadedness fatigue and an increased risk of heart disease information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Sleeping problems restless legs

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: If you care for a Care recipient (cr) with restless legs syndrome rls it is critical to understand the condition rls is a neurological disorder that can interfere with resting or falling asleep if the cr has rls a typical night might look like this you lie down in bed ready to go to sleep and just as the body begins to relax the uncomfortable leg sensations begin you try to ignore the crawling tingling or itching in your legs hoping it will go away but it only gets worse the sensations continue throughout the night although rls is common many studies estimate that 1 out of 10 people have it it hasn’t always been easy to find assistance and treatment unfortunately many rls sufferers never get proper treatment because it’s hard to explain and often misdiagnosed as anxiety or nervousness other people even doctors may not take restless legs seriously recognize the symptoms or realize it’s a real medical condition the good news is that recent research has increased the knowledge and understanding of rls leading to more effective treatments if the cr suffers from restless legs syndrome there are plenty of options to help the cr find relief information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Sleep problems restless legs

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Try: For many care recipient’s cr diagnosed with restless legs syndrome rls simple self treatments are not enough unfortunately some cr’s have symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from simple nervousness or anxiety while there are no simple tests for rls a doctor can diagnose it by reviewing the cr’s medical history and conducting a physical exam to address the possible rls be sure the cr discusses with the doctor a complete medical history a survey to see if anyone else in the family has similar symptoms a diagnostic interview to rule out other medical conditions a blood test for low iron levels information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Sleeping problems restless legs

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Try: Medications are sometimes used to treat restless legs syndrome rls in the Care recipient (cr) many types of medications can be used to try to address the various symptoms of rls the following are common medications the cr may use when treating the symptoms of rls prescription painkillers example codeine oxycodone vicodin and percocet can provide relief in severe unrelenting cases of rls however prescription painkillers can be addictive for a cr also monitor the cr for common side effects including nausea dizziness and constipation sleep medications and muscle relaxants example ambien can help the cr sleep better if the symptoms of rls interrupt sleep however these medications do not eliminate the leg sensations further side effects can include drowsiness anti-seizure medications example neurontin tegretol and epitol can be effective for painful daytime symptoms of rls look for side effects in the cr including dizziness and drowsiness information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Sleeping problems restless legs

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Try: As a caregiver it is important to understand the symptoms the Care recipient (cr) is going through the symptoms of restless legs syndrome rls can range from mildly troubling to severely disabling the following are common symptoms to look for leg discomfort and strong urge to move – uncomfortable sensations deep within the legs accompanied by a strong often irresistible urge to move them many describe the sensations as tingling jitteriness or a creepy crawly feeling rest triggers the symptoms – leg pain is usually trigged by activity and relieved by rest but with restless legs syndrome the reverse is true restless leg symptoms start or become worse when you’re sitting relaxing or trying to rest symptoms get worse during the night – rls typically flares up at night especially when the cr is lying down symptoms improve when you walk or move your legs – the uncomfortable sensations temporarily get better when the cr moves stretch or massages her legs nighttime leg twitching – many people with rls also have a sleep disorder that involves repetitive cramping or jerking of the legs during sleep information references helpguide org

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Keywords: Sleep problems restless legs

*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed