Restless Leg Syndrome
A sleep disorder that affects the legs!
Restless leg syndrome is one of the more unusual medical conditions that disturb our sleep. It is called by the
letters R.L.S. and warrants sleep help.
R.L.S. or Restless Leg Syndrome is characterized by the urge to move the legs, knees and sometimes
also the arms. This urge is uncontrollable although voluntary, and is often accompanied by painful, almost burning
sensations.
Some say it feels like a stretching, tingling or itchy feeling while others describe it as skin “crawling”, but
unfortunately it can occur while occur or awake: a voluntary response to an unpleasant sensation. If it occurs
during sleep time it becomes a major sleep disorder!
Restless leg syndrome seems to affect females more than males, although in the total adult population R.L.S.
affects about 15%. Incidents increase with the age of the population and there appears to be an increase in those
with medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.
R.L.S. is believed to be caused by a malfunction of the various pathways in the brain that normally control your
“sensations” and “reflexes” although R.L.S. is often genetic in nature.
Diagnosis is difficult because there are no single tests which can be used but rather a combination of
indicators especially the symptoms description given by the patient. Often neurological examinations show no
abnormality so such things as standard medical history, blood tests and family health history must be used by the
Doctor concerned.
The Treatment of Restless Leg Syndrome
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a complete cure for the underlying neurological causes of R.L.S. Most
times the treatment will be aimed at controlling symptoms, especially the painful sensations associated with it.
Some patients have severe anemia so iron supplements represent the major part of the remedy.
Other treatments include relaxation therapy and diet changes such as caffeine elimination or blood sugar
control. The sleep disorder associated with R.L.S. is most often treated with anti-convulsing drugs or relaxants
but unfortunately these treatments often last a lifetime.
Effects of R.L.S. on Sleep Patterns
Obviously, a neurological disorder such as this must have a major effect on how a person sleeps. Having to put
up with painful, uncontrollable leg movements at a time when the body and mind should be at rest would easily
develop into a sleep disorder: constant waking up alone would do that!
As this can occur at any time during the night you would be getting up frequently and at all hour. Extreme
daytime tiredness and irritability would occur, followed by bouts of depression. Restless Leg Syndrome is a
lifestyle changing disorder and because it can occur during day or night, those with it have to adapt.
Long movies, long flights or long waits in restaurants for example have to be avoided. Long meetings can be
painful as inactivity promotes the leg movements so certain work situations have to be adapted.
A Final Note about Periodic Limb Movement
(P.L.M.D.)
Similar in some ways to R.L.S. is Periodic Limb Movement which, unlike R.L.S., only occurs when asleep.R.L.S.
movements are voluntary responses to unpleasant feelings whereas in P.L.M.D. there is no conscious control and
movements are completely involuntary. Both disorders produce sleep problems and both can be controlled with certain
medical treatments.
If you think you have anything like Restless Leg Syndrome or P.L.M.D. then see your Doctor right
away and let them know. Educate yourself and talk it over with your health care professional!
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