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Restless Legs, Is There Any Help Out There? Restless Legs Syndrome or (RLS) is a neurological movement disorder rather than a sleep disorder, however the effect that this condition can have on our sleep and consequently our general well being, is such that it deserves a place on this site.
RLS can be mild or severe, the symptoms in severe cases are quite distressing and can disrupt sleeping patterns quite dramatically. This syndrome is unique in that the symptoms appear when relaxing and are relieved by movement and activity. RLS affects millions of people worldwide. It can run in families and the symptoms can begin in early childhood and generally increase as a person ages. It is often misdiagnosed, people sometimes waiting two years for an accurate diagnosis. The problem is that we don’t know exactly what causes it and it may occur on its own or as a result of other conditions. Research is ongoing to try to find a cure, tests on brain tissue are currently being carries out through the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Centre. What are the symptoms? People with this condition often complain of unpleasant sensations in the legs such as burning, tingling or crawling, which are uncomfortable rather than painful. These sensations can also sometimes be felt in the thighs and feet and less often in the arms as well. There is a compulsion to move the legs to relieve the sensations, they seem to get worse with rest. This can be a problem when travelling, especially long distances or when sitting in a movie theatre. The symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome often seem worse at night, in fact some people don’t have any symptoms until they go to bed. This can keep them awake causing a type of insomnia called sleep onset insomnia. When they finally go to sleep the they move their legs in their sleep. These movements which occur in the lighter phase of sleep may be severe enough to wake people up several times. More severely affected people can experience spasmodic movements in the legs whenever they relax even during the day. Can it be Cured? It is possible in some cases but only when the syndrome occurs as a result of another condition, this is called secondary RLS. If the underlying condition is treated, the RLS can disappear at the same time. The conditions that can lead to the development of RLS are Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, a lack of iron, magnesium or folate in the diet, diabetes and thyroid imbalance. If you think you may have a problem with one or any of these, seek medical attention. Learn about all the illnesses that concern you by using our medical dictionary today! It could be a good idea to take extra vitamins to supplement your diet. Vitamins A & C are water soluble and will not cause any problems. Try also vitamin E, magnesium and extra folate. Be careful with iron supplements, they can be toxic. Caffeine and nicotine are both stimulants that can worsen symptoms, try cutting these down too. Some people find hot or cold baths to be helpful, massage is also worth a try. There are certain drugs which can aggravate or even cause RLS so be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you may be taking as he/she could recommend a substitute. Don’t stop any medications without medical advice. Pregnancy also can be a primary cause which leads to Restless Legs Syndrome. As many as one in four pregnant women were found to have some symptoms according to a recent study, possibly caused by low haemoglobin. In this case it would be sufficient to treat the symptoms and make sure your diet is good. The symptoms should cease after the pregnancy. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLM) is often confused with RLS and while the two are similar, PLM only occurs during sleep and is not as debiliting to the sufferer. It is possible to experience both conditions together. Unfortunately primary Restless Legs Syndrome which does not rely on any other disorder is not curable and treatment and management of the symptoms is currently the only option. There are many medications available that will help the condition. See your doctor for advice. Please be aware that many of these medications many have side effects so do research them thoroughly before taking them. For more information about insomnia, please visit http://www.insomnia-connection.com |
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