DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband, 73 years old, has, in the past year, been jerking during his sleep. His movements are quite wild at times. He has fallen out of bed three times during his “fighting” dreams. He dreams he is in a fight at work, playing football or shooting things. Just last night, it was killing mice. He jerks with his arms and legs.

I don’t attempt to wake him, as one time he was on the verge of striking me. I did yell his name three times, and he finally woke up.

He has had two sleep tests and was told he has “half sleep apnea.” What does that mean?

He takes no sleeping aids. I have never heard that such movements are a sign of sleep apnea. — D.S.

ANSWER: A good bet is that your husband has a condition called periodic limb movements of sleep. For many, such movements are bending of the big toe and ankle. For others, it’s jerking of the legs and arms. Most often the person doesn’t waken and has no recollection of what went on during the night. The bed partner and the condition of the blankets give testimony to what occurred during sleep.

If the person doesn’t have daytime fatigue, then this disorder isn’t considered a sleep problem for him or her. It is for the one who shares the bed.

Sometimes periodic limb movements of sleep occur with another problem, restless leg syndrome. That’s a creepy-crawly sensation in the legs that comes on in the evening when sitting or in bed. The person is compelled to get up and move around to quell the feeling.

A warm bath before going to bed might calm your husband’s movements. Decreasing the amount of caffeine he drinks and doing the same for all forms of tobacco could bring nocturnal peace for you and him.

If the situation doesn’t clear, then Mirapex or Requip, two Parkinson’s disease medicines can put an end to the nighttime martial arts. Do tell his doctor about this. Periodic limb movements of sleep are, at times, associated with iron deficiency. I have no idea what “half sleep apnea” means.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve been getting sharp pains in my chest in the area next to the breastbone. Deep breathing makes them worse. I’m only 42, but wonder if they could be heart-related. — L.M.

ANSWER: It’s dangerous to diagnose a person without an exam, but I believe you have costochondritis, an inflammation of one or more of the cartilages that attach ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This condition comes on suddenly or gradually.

The pain is routinely described as “sharp,” and inhaling air, coughing or raising the arm on that side over the head worsens the pain.

The cause is not known. The conditions lasts a couple of months. For pain relief, Tylenol or one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Aleve or Advil usually can take care of it. If these medicines don’t, then your doctor can infiltrate the region with one of the cortisone drugs. That treatment almost always works.

Do see your doctor. I’m guessing about this. If I’m right, it has nothing to do with your heart, but let’s make sure that I’m right.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I had an exploratory laparotomy with a right hemicolectomy. The postoperative diagnosis was perforated appendix and hemicolectomy specimen. What is this? — L.J.

ANSWER: Your appendix, the narrow wormlike tube that dangles from the base of the right side of the colon, became inflamed. Its slender central cavity was blocked, and bacteria grew in the blocked cavity. That caused swelling. The appendix finally burst and spilled bacteria into the abdominal cavity. Treatment included surgical removal of the appendix and the right side of the colon. You are proof that appendicitis, appendix inflammation, is not always a routine matter.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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