Restless legs syndrome (RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease) is a neurological disorder characterized by a strong, almost irrepressible urge to move your legs when you are awake.
Symptoms:
Symptoms are usually worse when resting, especially when sitting or lying down. Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder defined as a sensorimotor condition because it involves nerves that transmit sensations and command muscles to move.
Reported manifestations, which can occur deep in the legs, are described as creeping, pulling, throbbing, aching, or itching. These are the recurrent descriptions, but sufferers of the syndrome always contribute with new and novel manifestations of the disease.
Symptoms of restless legs syndrome can vary in severity and are sporadic - alternating periods of exacerbation and resolution. Researchers suspect that 'restless legs syndrome' may be caused by an imbalance in dopamine (a hormone in the brain used to control muscle movement), but the cause is not yet known.
Diagnosing restless legs syndrome:
Restless legs syndrome can be caused by such underlying medical conditions as:
- peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the hands and feet due to diseases such as diabetes)
- iron deficiency
- varicose veins
- thyroid problems
- or kidney failure
In this regard, the patient should be questioned about their medical history and describe their symptoms to determine what is causing the restless legs syndrome.
Here are some of the criteria for detecting restless legs syndrome:
- Almost irresistible urge to move the legs
- Unpleasant tingling or crawling sensation in the leg muscles
- Symptoms that are defined as worse at night and absent during the day
- Partial or temporary relief from activities such as walking or stretching
Studies have shown that the disease affects about 10% of the population, occurring in both childhood and more adulthood. When the syndrome manifests itself in people in adulthood who also have comorbidities, the course of the disease is usually more severe and the main symptoms are of greater duration.
Risk Factor:
Experts believe that restless legs syndrome is passed on genetically across generations. Other risk factors include stress and overwork, iron deficiency anemia and peripheral neuropathy, as well as use of certain medications.
Treatment of restless legs syndrome should only begin after other possible medical causes have been eliminated. If the disease is caused by a treatable medical condition, the symptoms may disappear after the underlying cause is removed.
Treatment options for restless legs syndrome:
No cure for the disease has been found that is universally applicable to every patient. Common palliative therapies are:
- hot bath
- massage
- Painkillers
- regular exercise
- elimination of caffeine and tobacco
- meditation and yoga
When these methods do not provide adequate relief, one can proceed to the appointment of certain drug therapy. Since everyone responds to medications differently, it may be necessary to try several different medications before those that work best for you are identified.
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