Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Continuous movement is crucial for health, but in the case of restless legs syndrome, continuous movement might be harmful for health. This condition impacts the quality of life, and it could lead to serious complications in some cases.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Restless legs syndrome is a condition that causes an excessive and intense desire to move the legs continuously and frequently due to a discomforting feeling or other symptoms in the legs. Moving the legs gives a comfortable feeling and makes these symptoms wear off temporarily.

RLS is a neurological and, somewhat, common disorder, and it could occur at any age, but it’s more common with aging, and it also affects women more than men.

Causes of restless legs syndrome (RLS)

There isn’t a specific cause for restless legs syndrome, yet it’s thought to be resulted from an imbalance in the neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a role in controlling the muscle movement.

The risk of restless leg syndrome might increase due to:

• Heredity.
• Pregnancy because of the hormonal changes.
• Iron deficiency anemia.
• Other health conditions, such as kidney failure (it contributes to the iron deficiency), peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, sleeping problems (like sleep apnea), and problems in the spinal cord.
• Some medications might cause RLS or worsens it, such as certain depression medications, antihistamines (they’re used to manage allergy and other conditions), and nausea medications.
• RLS might be triggered by stress, smoking and consuming caffeine and alcohol.

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS)

• RLS symptoms might differ between people and from day to day, and in moderate cases it might occur twice a week, while in severe cases it could occur more.
• The main symptom of restless leg syndrome is the intense and irresistible desire to move the legs in addition to an uncomfortable feeling in the legs.
• The feeling in the legs might be pain, throbbing, crawling, itching, or pulling, and sometimes the patient isn’t able to describe it.
• RLS symptoms typically start while resting and not moving for a long time, and also the symptoms worsen in the evening and night.
• Restless legs syndrome causes sleeping problems like difficulty falling asleep and insomnia, drowsiness and exhaustion during the day, mood swings, memory and concentrating problems, depression, and anxiety.

Diagnosis of restless legs syndrome (RLS)

There isn’t a specific test to diagnose RLS, but the diagnosis is done by:

• Asking about the patient’s medical history.
• Physical examination.
• Asking about the symptoms.
• Some tests to exclude other conditions.

Treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS)

• Medication.
• Managing other conditions, if any.
• Some therapies, like electrical stimulation.
• Avoiding triggers like stress and caffeine.
• Applying warm or cool packs and massaging the legs.
• Regulating the sleeping time.