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Glite Dictionary
Ekbom syndrome

Ekbom syndrome

9.6
A condition that makes your legs feel uncomfortable and makes you want to move them at night
  • noun
  • /ˈɛkbɒm ˈsɪn.droʊm/
  • UK
translation icon : síndrome de Ekbom
  • Many patients with Ekbom syndrome experience an overwhelming urge to move their legs at night, making it difficult to sleep.

Examples

  • The neurologist diagnosed her symptoms as Ekbom syndrome after ruling out other possible causes.

  • Walking around the bedroom sometimes brings temporary relief for those experiencing Ekbom syndrome.

  • Many patients with Ekbom syndrome struggle to fall asleep because of persistent leg discomfort.

  • Many people suffering from Ekbom syndrome experience discomfort at night.

  • Do you know what Ekbom syndrome is?

  • The neurologist explained that Ekbom syndrome can lead to severe insomnia due to restless leg sensations.

  • People often find that walking alleviates the discomfort associated with Ekbom syndrome during nighttime hours.

Synonyms

restless legs
vsEkbom syndrome
  • Specialized
3 5.7

A strong, uncomfortable need to move the legs at night that keeps you awake

ties symptoms to night but causes insomnia only sometimes
restless legs syndrome
vsEkbom syndrome
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A condition that makes your legs feel uncomfortable and makes you want to move them at night

occurs mainly at night rather than during general rest

Surface Forms

Ekbom syndrome singular
Ekbom syndromes plural

Morphology

Ekbom + syndrome

The element 'syndrome' clearly signals a medical condition so a learner would infer this is a disease or set of symptoms, but 'Ekbom' is an eponymic proper name with no lexical meaning for the learner. Because the specific symptoms (uncomfortable leg sensations and urge to move) cannot be derived from the constituents, the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Ekbom syndrome is named after Dr. Ekbom, the doctor who first wrote about people with an uncomfortable feeling in their legs and a strong 'urge to move', especially at night. Picture someone who must walk to find relief; this image explains why the term means the restless, night-time leg problem it does today.