INFORMATION ON RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Restless legs syndrome can be described as uncontrollable urges to move the limbs in order to stop uncomfortable, painful or odd sensations in the body, most commonly in the legs. Moving the affected body part eliminates the sensation, providing temporary relief. The sensations and need to move may return immediately after ceasing movement, or at a later time. Restless legs syndrome may start at any age, including early childhood, and is a progressive disease for a certain percentage of sufferers, although it has been known for the symptoms to disappear permanently in some sufferers
Rest less legs syndrome affects both sexes, can begin at any age and may worsen when you grew older, it can disturb sleep.

CAUSES OF RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Cause of Restless leg syndrome is unknown. However Following causes can be responsible for restless leg syndrome

1. Pregnancy, obesity, smoking, iron deficiency and anemia, nerve disease, polyneuropathy
2. Other hormone disease, such as diabetes, and kidney failure
3. People with low iron levels or anemia may be prone to developing Restless leg syndrome. Once iron levels or anemia is corrected, patients may see a reduction in symptoms.
4. Chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy are associated with Restless leg syndrome.

SYMPTOMS OF RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Following symptoms can seen during Restless Legs Syndrome:

1. Patient feels uncomfortable sensations in his legs when he is sitting down or laying down.
2. The sensations can occur on just one side of the body or both sides.
3. A compelling urge to move the limbs to relieve these sensations
4. Restlessness - Floor pacing, tossing and turning in bed, rubbing the legs
5. Strange itching, tingling, or "crawling" sensations occurring deep within the legs. These sensations sometimes occur in the arms.

DIAGNOSIS OF RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

1. Polysomnography may be necessary to diagnose the sleep disturbances and determine if you have periodic limb movements.
2. International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group identified four basic criteria for diagnosing:

- A desire to move the limbs, often associated with paresthesias or dysesthesias,
- Restless Legs Syndrome symptoms that are worse or present only during rest
and are partially or temporarily relieved by activity,
- Motor restlessness, and
- Nocturnal worsening of symptoms,

3. Needle electromyography and nerve conduction studies may be done if your health care provider sees signs of neuropathy.
4. You may have blood drawn to check your blood cell counts and hemoglobin, basic organ functions, chemistry, and thyroid hormone levels. You also may be checked for certain infections that could cause secondary Restless Legs Syndrome.

TREATMENT OF RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Treatments should be followed as:

1. Decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco might provide some relief.
2. Physicians may suggest taking supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate and magnesium.
3. Change their sleep patterns, regular moderate exercise help them sleep better; on the other hand, and excessive exercise has been reported by some patients to aggravate Restless Legs Syndrome symptoms.
4. Medications used to treat restless leg syndrome include carbidopa-levodopa, opioids tramadol for intermittent symptoms, carbamazepine, clonazepam, diazepam, triazolam, temazepam, baclofen, bromocriptine and clonidine.
5. Other treatments that have been helpful for some patients include avoiding caffeine, warm/cold baths, electric nerve stimulation, oral magnesium, and acupuncture.