Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome – General Information

Restless Legs Syndrome is a disorder characterized by the fact that the sufferer feels his legs completely awkward while lying down or just sitting. In such conditions, the sufferer feels like changing posture and starting to move around; this is how the unpleasant feeling may be eliminated for a while. This disorder affects both men and women at it can appear at any age; though, it may get worse if the patient is older. There are a large number of problems which appear as the result of Restless Legs Syndrome; for example, sufferers may no longer sleep well, as they feel the need to move and this leads to daytime drowsiness. In addition, it is extremely difficult for those who suffer from this disease to travel for a long time, especially by car or plane. There are certain factors which may increase a person’s possibility of suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome. In the first place, the reports have shown that this disease is hereditary, which means that it is transmitted from one member of a family to another. On the other hand, conditions such as pregnancy and stress may influence the evolution of the disease and even worsen it. However, researchers tend to believe that this condition is the result of an imbalance of dopamine, a chemical substance which is found in the brain. This substance has the role to transmit some impulses to the muscle and make them move. In most of the cases, this disorder is not related to a more serious underlying medical condition.

Restless Legs Syndrome – Symptoms

For most of the sufferers it is quite difficult to describe the signs and symptoms which appear in the case of Restless Legs Syndrome. They usually feel some annoying sensations in their feet, calves, arms or thighs which can be described as creeping, jittery, burning, crawling, deep-seated, tingling or aching. However, the most important thing is the fact that sufferers do not describe the symptoms as numbness or muscle cramps; this is how the doctors can differentiate this condition from some simple muscle cramps. The signs and symptoms which appear in the case of this disease present some main characteristics; for example, they usually develop when the sufferer is inactive (when he sits down for a long period of time, such as in an airplane, car or movie theatre). On the other hand, these symptoms can be combated for a small period of time; there are several ways in which a sufferer can do this: by jiggling his legs, stretching, walking, exercising or pacing the floor. Another characteristic of this condition is the fact that the signs and symptoms worsen during the evening and the night. In what concerns this worsening of symptoms during the night, the doctors have observed that Restless Legs Syndrome can be associated with another disorder which develops while a person sleeps and which is known as periodic limb movements of sleep. This disorder causes the sufferer to extend and flex his legs involuntary and without knowing that hi is doing this. If these two conditions are associated, the sufferer may experience these sudden kicking or twitching movements even during the day.

Restless Legs Syndrome – Treatment

If you notice the appearance of one or more of the signs and symptoms presented above, you should consult a doctor in order to obtain a sure diagnosis and to benefit from the best way of treatment. There is a curious thing which was noticed in the case of those who suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome: they avoid seeking medical care as they fear that they are not able to describe their signs and symptoms. This is also the result of the fact that, in the past, doctors did not carefully examine the patients and they considered the symptoms which the sufferers described to be the result of other conditions, such as stress, insomnia, nervousness or muscle cramps. However, in order to obtain a sure diagnosis the doctor has to pay a lot of attention to the patient’s description of the signs and symptoms and he has to ask a few questions about the patient’s medical history. He may also ask the sufferer some supplementary questions in order to find out whether he feels the immediate need to move when the crawling sensations start to develop, whether he has trouble sleeping, whether he feels relieved once he starts moving or whether there are other cases of Restless Legs Syndrome in his family.

There is no blood test or any other laboratory test which can help the doctor decide whether his patient suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome or not. However, the doctor can ask a sleep specialist for an addition evaluation. After the sufferer is diagnosed with this disorder, the doctor must find out whether the disease is the result of an underlying condition, such as peripheral neuropathy or iron deficiency. If the disease is the result of an underlying problem it is enough to treat that condition in order to relieve the symptoms. For example, in the case of an iron deficiency, the patient will be administrated some iron supplements. However, in most of the cases, those who suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome need to change their life-style and, in some cases, they need to follow a certain diet and take some medicines. The most common life-style changes include massages, long baths, a good sleep hygiene (this include a comfortable, quiet and cool sleeping environment, getting enough sleep, getting up at the same time every day and going to bed at the same hour every night), more exercises, relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation), the reduction of caffeine, tobacco and alcohol and a lot of mentally challenging activities in the evening, as boredom may worsen the signs and symptoms.

On the other hand, if the signs and symptoms associated with Restless Legs Syndrome are quite severe, the doctor may choose to administrate the patient some drugs as well; the most common medicines which are administrated are narcotic medicines, which relieve the signs and symptoms, sleep medications and muscle relaxants. In addition, the doctor may recommend the sufferer some drugs which are usually used to treat other conditions but which also prove quite effective in the case of this disorder.