Relief For Restless Leg Syndrome

Finding relief for restless leg syndrome can be a challenge, and it is helpful to have a clear understanding of current knowledge about the condition.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system disorder, that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs when they are resting and an uncontrollable urge to move them in an effort to control these feelings. People often describe the sensations as burning, crawling, pulling, or like insects under the skin, and the severity ranges from annoying to painful. The condition is sometimes called paresthesias or dysesthesias.

The most unusual characteristic of restless leg syndrome is that relaxing seems to turn on the symptoms. Consequently, most people with RLS have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. If not treated, the condition results in exhaustion and daytime fatigue due to the sleep disruption caused. Many people with RLS say that their work, personal relationships and daily activities are affected, because their sleep loss results in difficulty concentrating and memory loss for everyday tasks.

It is hard to estimate the numbers of people affected by RLS, as some doctors attribute the symptoms to nervousness, insomnia, stress, arthritis or muscle cramps.

RLS occurs in both sexes, although the incidence is slightly higher among women. Although the syndrome can occur at any age, even from childhood, most patients are affected in middle age or older. Furthermore, the condition gets worse with age.

Over 80 percent of RLS sufferers also have a condition known as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), characterized by involuntary jerking or twitching of the legs while asleep, usually every 10 to 60 seconds. These symptoms disrupt sleep and cause alarm. Unlike RLS, the movements of PLMD are involuntary, people have no control over them. Although many patients with RLS also have PLMD, most people experience PLMD without RLS. As with RLS, the cause of PLMD is unknown.

What are the signs and symptoms of restless legs syndrome?

As already stated, people with RLS experience unpleasant sensations in the legs, especially while sitting or lying, with an irresistible urge to move. These sensations occur, usually deep in the legs between the knee and the ankle. It is more unusual for the sensations to occur in the feet, thighs, arms and hands. The sensations typically affect both sides of the body, but can occur on one side only.

Because leg movement gives temporary relief for restless leg syndrome, people with RLS often move their legs continually to reduce or prevent the sensations, either by walking, moving the legs when seated or by turning in bed.

Most people find the symptoms are better during the day and more noticeable in the evening, especially when falling asleep. The symptoms can disappear by early morning, permitting some sleep at that time. Other problem situations are periods of stillness such as road trips, watching a movie, long flights or during relaxation.

Symptoms vary between individuals. When mild, RLS occurs now and then with mild sleep disruption. In more severe instances, the symptoms occur weekly and cause great sleep disruption and daytime sleepiness problems.

What causes Restless Legs Syndrome?

In most instances, the cause of RLS is not known (so-called idiopathic). In about half of these cases, there is a family history of the condition. People with RLS in the family tend to get the symptoms at a younger age and experience a slower progression.

Otherwise, RLS seems to be related to certain factors and conditions, although researchers cannot say whether these actually cause RLS, only that they often occur together:

Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment

Exercise For Restless Leg Syndrome based on research by Penn State University. Learn about the exercises they used to achieve a significant improvement in study participants' conditions.

How is Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosed?

Currently, there is no single test to diagnose RLS. The disease is clinically diagnosed from a person's history and symptoms.

Medication for Restless Leg Syndrome

Prognosis

There is no cure for RLS at this stage and symptoms can appear gradually and worsen with age, but at a slower pace for those with the idiopathic form of the condition. Some patients have periods of weeks or months when the symptoms disappear and re-appear. Currently, treatment is about controlling and relief for restless leg syndrome.

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