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Restless Legs Syndrome
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Healthy Living

Restless Legs Syndrome

Sam  Views: 2888  5 min read

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease,is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them when they are at rest.

 

The symptoms occur at rest, are relieved by movement, and are worst in the evening and at night when a person is resting, such as sitting or lying in bed. It is usually

associated with involuntary contractions of the legs during sleep, known as periodic limb

movements.

 

It is estimated that up to 7-10 percent of the U.S. population may have RLS.  RLS occurs in both men and women, although women are more likely to have it than men.  RLS also affects about 2% of children, according to a study of more than 10,000 families in the U.S. and U.K. The study also found a strong genetic component to RLS; more than 70% of children with RLS had at least one parent with the condition.

 

Signs and symptoms restless leg syndrome

  • uncomfortable sensations in their legs (and sometimes arms or other parts of the body) when the legs are in rest.

  • The sensation in the legs are often difficult to define but may be described as aching throbbing, pulling, itching, crawling, or creeping.

  • symptoms are worse at night with a distinct symptom-free period in the early morning, allowing for more refreshing sleep at that time.

  • The symptoms are relieved with movement.

 

 

Causes of restless legs syndrome

In most cases, the cause of RLS is unknown (called primary RLS).  However, RLS has a genetic component and can be found in families where the onset of symptoms is before age 40. Nearly half of people with RLS also have a family member with the condition.

Considerable evidence also suggests that RLS is related to a dysfunction in one of the sections of the brain that control movement (called the basal ganglia) that use the brain chemical dopamine.  Dopamine is needed to produce smooth, purposeful muscle activity and movement.  Disruption of these pathways frequently results in involuntary movements.  

Other factors associated with restless legs syndrome include:

  • end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis

  • iron deficiency

  • certain medications that may aggravate RLS symptoms, such as anti nausea drugs (e.g. prochlorperazine or metoclopramide), antipsychotic drugs (e.g., haloperidol or phenothiazine derivatives), antidepressants that increase serotonin (e.g., fluoxetine or sertraline), and some cold and allergy medications that contain older antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine)

  • use of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine

  • pregnancy, especially in the last trimester; in most cases, symptoms usually disappear within 4 weeks after delivery

  • neuropathy (nerve damage)

  • Chronic diseases.

Certain chronic diseases and medical conditions, including iron deficiency, Parkinson’s        disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy often include symptoms of RLS.

 

Treatment of restless legs syndrome

Drugs used to treat RLS include:

  • Dopaminergic drugs, which act on the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Mirapex, Neupro, and Requip are FDA-approved for treatment of moderate to severe RLS. Others, such as levodopa, may also be prescribed.

  • Anticonvulsants, or anti seizure drugs, such as Tegretol, Lyrica, Neurontin, and Horizant.

  • Benzodiazepines, a class of sedative medications, may be used to help with sleep, but they can cause daytime drowsiness.

  • Narcotic pain relievers may be used for severe pain.

  • Iron supplements

There are some non-drug steps you can try to get relief from your symptoms.

Good sleep routine

Try going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning. Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and comfortable. Keep the TV and computer out of the bedroom.

Change your temperature

Try a cool shower or a soak in a warm bath before bedtime. Experiment with either a heating pad or an ice pack on your legs. Sometimes just a change in temperature helps.

Massage  

Rubbing your muscles, especially your calves, may help ease your pain and symptoms. Try massage right before bed to see if it helps you get a sound sleep.

Exercise

Regular, mild exercise during the day may help. Take a short walk or try some simple stretching exercises before bed. Be careful you don't exercise too hard, even if it's early in the day. Too much or too vigorous exercise can make your RLS symptoms worse.

Stress relief

Stress can cause your RLS to flare and make symptoms worse. Find ways that help you relax and calm your anxiety. You might want to try deep breathing, yoga, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation.

Avoid caffeine

Sometimes cutting back on caffeine may help restless legs. Try to avoid caffeine-containing products, including chocolate and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea and soft drinks, for a few weeks to see if this helps.

Acupuncture

There's no hard proof that acupuncture helps with symptoms, yet many people with RLS give it a try to relieve symptoms.

 


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Sam
Sam
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