Symptoms, Causes, Drugs, etc.

Definition

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease (Willis-Ekbom disease), is a neurological condition that causes people to have an uncontrollable desire to move their feet, usually due to foot discomfort. Moving your feet will temporarily relieve discomfort. This feeling of discomfort can also occur in the arm.

RLS generally occurs at night at bedtime or when a person is trying to relax. This can interfere with sleep — which causes daytime sleepiness — and make it difficult to time traveling.

How common is restless legs syndrome?

This common condition affects 10% of the population at some time in their life. Can occur in any gender, but usually occurs in women and often occurs in middle-aged or older people.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of restless legs syndrome?

Itching, burning, or creeping (tingling) feeling in the legs that makes it difficult to sleep. Moving your legs will temporarily relieve these symptoms. Usually this symptom affects both sides of the body. Because these symptoms can interfere with sleep, we usually feel tired during the day. Some people also experience restlessness in all parts of their legs when they sit down.

There may be some signs or symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should contact your doctor if:

You feel like you own the RLS / WED
Symptoms continued despite treatment

If you have concerns about a symptom, consult your doctor. Each body works differently. It is a good idea to discuss the best solution for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes restless legs syndrome?

Researchers suspect that this condition may be the result of an imbalance of a chemical in the brain, namely dopamine, which controls muscle movement.

Heredity: sometimes RLS / WED runs in families, especially if the condition starts before age 50. Researchers have identified areas on the chromosome where the RLS / WED gene may be present.

Middle-aged people and pregnant women have a higher risk of getting this condition. Pregnancy or hormonal changes can temporarily worsen the signs and symptoms of RLS / WED. Some women experience RLS / WED for the first time during pregnancy, especially in the late trimester. However, the signs and symptoms usually go away after delivery. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, can also cause RLS.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for restless legs syndrome?

There are certain factors that can increase the risk factors for emergence restless legs syndrome:

Heredity: Your risk of developing RLS may be higher if it has already occurred in your family
Pregnancy: pregnant women have a higher risk of developing this condition
Peripheral neuropathy: damage to the nerves in the hands and feet, generally due to chronic illness or alcoholism
Iron deficiency: even without anemia, iron deficiency can cause or worsen RLS / WED. If you have a history of bleeding in the stomach or digestive tract, experience heavy bleeding during menstruation, or often donate blood, you may be deficient in iron.
Kidney failure: if you have kidney failure, you may also be iron deficient and have anemia. When the kidneys do not function normally, iron stores in the blood can decrease. These conditions and chemical changes in the body can cause or worsen RLS / WED

The absence of risk factors does not mean you cannot be affected restless legs syndrome. These factors are for reference only, consult your doctor for more information.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for restless legs syndrome?

Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and helping sleep soundly. Your doctor may suggest a method self-help or drug use, or a combination of the two. Some medicines work better than others, so you may need to try different drugs to find the one that works best for you. Avoid caffeine, cigarettes and alcohol.

If symptoms are severe and treatment is unsuccessful, a visit to a sleep specialist or neurologist may be necessary. Neurologists are doctors who specialize in the treatment of nervous system disorders.

What are the usual tests for restless legs syndrome?

Generally the doctor will make a diagnosis from a description of the symptoms that are present. The doctor may order a blood test to make sure that the patient’s condition is not a symptom of another similar condition, such as iron deficiency. If your condition is severe, your doctor may recommend staying in a sleep laboratory where you will be monitored while you sleep while you check for symptoms.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat restless legs syndrome?

The following lifestyle and home remedies can help you cope restless legs syndrome:

Practice good sleep habits. Sleep at around the same time every night
Get regular exercise
Learn relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and biofeedback. Biofeedback is a method that trains you to control unconscious responses
Try these methods to temporarily relieve your foot discomfort; walk or stretching, massage your feet, or put them on cold or hot pack.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Porter, RS, Kaplan, JL, Homeier, BP, & Albert, RK (2009). The Merck manual for home health handbook. Whitehouse Station, NJ, Merck Research Laboratories. 3in tires. Page 674
Mayo Clinic. Restless legs syndrome. 2016. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20031101 Accessed November 28th, 2015