Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder, and not a sleep disorder as others believe. The problem with RLS is an almost irresistible urge to move the legs, due to unpleasant feelings.
These feelings appear most of the time when a person is sleeping or resting.
This urge to move or the unpleasant sensations are partially or totally relieved by movement such as walking or stretching. As a result, a person may have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
This video is about understanding restless legs syndrome:
A key feature of RLS is that the unpleasant sensations are worse in the evening or night than during the day, or is occurring only in the night.
These sensations may even occur when sitting for a long period of time, such as while at a desk, watching a movie, or driving a car.
What is the side effect of RLS ?
The effect of RLS on sleep is a disturbing sleep onset, causing excessive daytime drowsiness. Sleep apnea can worsen RLS due to sleep fragmentation. Also, the adherence to CPAP treatment is affected due to this restless sleep.
What are the causes of RLS?
This video will answer your question:
As you can see, this is a very strange disorder. It is clear that the responsible for this problem is the brain. Unfortunately, the cause of RLS is unknown, but is suggested a genetic link.Another cause may be related to low iron levels, or anemia, that results in a lack of dopamine. If you didn't know, dopamine is used by the brain to control limb movements.
Once iron levels are corrected with supplements and a better nutrition, patients may see that their restless leg symptoms will disappear.
Use of medications may cause RLS, such as metoclopramide or prochlordrperazie, antiseizure drugs like droperidol, or cold and allergy medications.
In this video you will learn how doctors can diagnose restless legs syndrome:
The restless leg syndrome treatment will not cure the disorder, but the symptoms may disappear for a period of time and offer more restful nights.
The best improvements are seen when a patient is given dopamine, through a treatment. Like any other medication, there are side effects of dopaminergic therapy, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle aches, headaches, constipation.
If you have a mild case of RLS, you can use alternative therapy, such as sedatives. Ropinirole is the only drug approved for the treatment of restless leg syndrome.
To reduce the symptoms of RLS, you can use behavioral strategies. This strategies include exercise, leg massage before bedtime, and warm baths.
Scientists suggest that sticking to a routine sleep schedule can reduce this symptoms. Decreased use of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine may provide relief for a patient with a mild RLS.
