World Sleep Day

UCB marks 2010 World Sleep Day with inspiring new booklet giving patient insights into living with Restless Legs Syndrome

March 19 is World Sleep Day - the day on which the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) is celebrating the value of sleep and drawing attention to the medical, educational and social issues related to sleep problems.

Under the slogan "Sleep well, Stay healthy", the WASM is raising awareness about the global epidemic of sleep disorders, such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnoea, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and chronic insufficient sleep.

As a committed sponsor of World Sleep Day, UCB is supporting the WASM in its aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of these disorders. As a leading biopharmaceutical company, UCB is also investigating the importance of sleep for people with severe neurological conditions.

To mark World Sleep Day, UCB has produced Living with Restless Legs Syndrome - an inspiring new booklet to enable people with RLS to recognise their sleep and other symptoms.

Disturbed sleep is a common symptom of RLS - a movement disorder that affects up to 10% of the population. People with RLS have an irresistible urge to move their legs, and may get unpleasant feelings in their legs, such as creeping, itching or tugging. As symptoms tend to be worse at night, many people with RLS have long term sleep problems which impair their everyday lives. None of the people with RLS profiled in the booklet is symptom free. But each explains how they have found ways to relieve some of their symptoms and get the support they need to face the challenges ahead.