Restless Legs Guide

Welcome To Restless Legs Guide, your source of information for Restless Leg Syndrome Treatments, Causes and Symptoms. If you have RLS or just investigating it, you are not alone. Millions of people have the condition, although it is still clouded in mystery to most. Hopefully you can use our site to find the information you are looking for.

Definition of Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome, also known as restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is a neurological condition in which the legs feel intensely uncomfortable. This discomfort can usually be temporarily relieved by moving the legs.

Causes and Risk Factors

Scientists aren’t sure what causes RLS. Restless legs syndrome occurs most often in adults who are middle aged or senior citizens. In some rare cases, however, restless legs syndrome can develop during childhood.

The presence of certain conditions can also be risk factors for restless legs syndrome, such as:

• Chronic kidney disease.
• Diabetes
• Iron deficiency
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Pregnancy
• Taking certain drugs, such as neuroleptics or lithium
• Taking caffeine
• Withdrawal from certain drugs, such as sedatives

Restless leg syndrome has also been linked to heredity. Half of those with restless leg syndrome have at least one other family member with the condition. Researchers have isolated some genes that seem to be linked to restless leg syndrome; however, they aren’t sure which genes, if any, cause the condition. If some cases of RLS are caused by genetic factors, once scientists identify the genes or factors that cause RLS, physicians may be able to diagnose and treat patients with RLS more quickly and effectively in the future.

Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

The discomfort in the legs is usually located between the knee and the ankle. The exact sensations may differ from person to person, however. Some RLS suffers describe the sensation as a tingling feeling, whereas others say that they experience a burning sensation. Still others describe the feeling as a tugging or pulling sensation.

The particular feeling that the patient experiences isn’t enough to diagnose restless leg syndrome. In addition, these sensations aren’t always just limited to the legs. For some, the arms, hands, or other parts of the body may also be affected. Some conditions, such as arthritis or leg cramps, may produce similar sensations in the leg or other parts of the body for some patients. The common factor is the urge to move the legs and other affected limbs as a result of the feeling.

Patterns of Symptoms

• Triggered by inactivity – The symptoms of RLS are often brought on by being inactive. For example, lying down at night, sitting in a stationary position in a car or airplane, or sitting for long periods in front of a computer can bring on symptoms of restless leg syndrome.
• Relieved by moving the legs – As indicated by the name of the condition, most people relieve the symptoms of RLS by moving their legs. For example, running, walking, or shaking the legs are all common ways restless leg syndrome sufferers relieve the symptoms of their condition. As long as they are moving, the symptoms are relieved. Some RLS sufferers report that the symptoms go away after they move for an extended period of time, whereas others feel relief only while they are moving. For these people, the symptoms may return once they stop moving.
• Worsened in the evening – Most RLS sufferers experience the majority of their symptoms in the evening. Researchers aren’t sure why symptoms worsen in the evening, but some believe that the symptoms are more noticeable then because this is when people spend more of their time sitting or laying down.
• Leg twitching at night – A common symptom of RLS is leg twitching at night, even while the RLS sufferer is trying to sleep. This is called periodic limb movement disorder, or PLMD. The patient may jerk his or her legs at night, causing him or her to awaken. This may interrupt the patient’s sleep, causing them to become fatigued during the day. In addition, severe cases of PLMD can contribute to insomnia, or an inability to sleep.
• Worsened by stress – Many RLS patients report that their symptoms become worse during times of stress or when they feel anxious.

Tests For RLS

At present, there are no diagnostic tests to determine whether or not a particular person is suffering from restless leg syndrome. This is because, other than the sensation in the legs and the need to move the legs, there are no known physical signs or markers of RLS that physicians can measure or identify.

As a result, physicians diagnose RLS by looking for five basic criteria:

1. An unpleasant sensation in the legs that causes the sufferer to have an uncontrollable urge to move the legs.
2. The symptoms become worse after periods of inactivity.
3. The symptoms are partially or completely relieved by moving the legs.
4. The symptoms only occur in the evening or at night, or are worse in the evening or at night.
5. The discomfort in the legs can’t be accounted for by another condition, such as arthritis or leg cramps.

When the physician determines that the patient meets the criteria, he or she can diagnose the patient with RLS. One the diagnosis is made, the RLS sufferer can be treated and his or her symptoms may be relieved.

Restless Leg Syndrome Treatments

Currently, there is no cure for restless leg syndrome because in most cases, physicians do not know what caused the condition. As a result, most of the treatments for RLS involve relieving the symptoms of the condition rather than treating the cause of the problem.

For some RLS patients, lifestyle changes may partially or totally relieve the symptoms of the condition.

These lifestyle changes may include:

• Reducing or eliminating the intake of caffeine, alcohol or tobacco. These substances can trigger or worsen episodes of RLS for some people.
• Leg massages can ease symptoms of RLS by helping the muscles to relax.
• Hot baths or soaking in a hot tub can also relax the muscles.
• Applying heating pads or ice packs to the legs can bring down inflammation and help relax the muscles.
• Getting plenty of rest and adhering to a regular sleep schedule. Getting enough sleep can combat anxiety, which may worsen the symptoms of RLS. In addition, getting adequate sleep and having a regular schedule can help relieve the fatigue caused by being awoken by nighttime muscle twitching.
• Losing weight can help lessen the episodes of RLS for some patients who are overweight or obese.
• Taking iron, B complex vitamin supplements, or magnesium supplements. Deficiencies in these minerals can trigger episodes of RLS. Always consult your physician before you begin taking a dietary supplement to treat your RLS, however. Some supplements may interact with medications that you are currently taking.
• Exercise regularly. Your physician or a physical therapist can help you develop an exercise regimen that can help relieve your symptoms of RLS.

Lifestyle changes can benefit almost every RLS patient. Some RLS sufferers, however, need medication in addition to a healthy lifestyle to help relieve their symptoms.

Some of the medical treatments include:

• Dopaminergic drugs such as Pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), levodopa (Larodopa or Dopar) and pergolide (Permax). These drugs affect dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is related to restless leg syndrome.
• Benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a class of sedatives that may help to calm the symptoms of RLS for some patients.
• Narcotic pain relievers may alleviate the pain that some patients experience with RLS.
• Anticonvulsants or antisezure medicines like carbamazepine (Tegretol) and gabapentin (Neurontin or Horizant).

Unfortunately, there is no single treatment for restless leg syndrome. Lifestyle remedies or medications that work well for one patient may make the symptoms worse for another patient. As a result, physicians usually consider the individual sufferer’s symptoms and medical history before they prescribe a particular treatment.

Prognosis of RLS

Some RLS patients will only experience the condition on a temporary basis. RLS sufferers who are experiencing an underlying condition that is causing the RLS may only experience the symptoms of RLS while they have the condition. For example, many women who experience RLS during pregnancy no longer have the symptoms after delivery. Similarly, patients whose RLS symptoms are caused by taking a certain medication may find relief after their prescription is changed.

However, for most RLS sufferers, the condition is chronic. Because there is currently no cure for restless leg syndrome, an individual who has been diagnosed with RLS may suffer from the condition throughout his or her life. The symptoms often become worse with age or may become compounded by other conditions, such as arthritis. Fortunately, although restless leg syndrome can cause discomfort and reduce the quantity and quality of sleep, it is not a life-threatening condition. A RLS sufferer can live a healthy, normal life with the condition.

When to Consult a Physician

If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of restless leg syndrome, consult a physician. Although there is no cure for RLS, your physician will work with you until you find a treatment or combination of treatments that helps to relieve your symptoms.

Your physician will ask you to gather some key information before you come for your appointment.

This information typically includes:

• Family history – Bring the names and key items of information about any family members who currently suffer from RLS or who have had RLS and since passed. Your physician may be particularly interested in knowing the age of onset of RLS and any treatments that has worked for these family members. Often, a treatment that works for one family member may work for other family members as well.
• Your medical history - Your physician will need to know about any other medical conditions that you currently have or have experienced in the past. This information will help the physician diagnose whether your condition is RLS or another similar condition.
• List of medications you are taking – Some medications that are commonly prescribed for RLS may interact with your current medications. In addition, some medications may trigger episodes of RLS or make episodes worse. In this case, the physician may need to adjust your dosage of the medication or prescribe a different medication.

In addition, you should prepare the answers to some common questions that your physician may ask you during the appointment. Knowing the answers will help make your appointment go faster and more smoothly.

Some of the questions your physician might ask may include:

• When did the symptoms start?
• When are the symptoms usually worse, during the day or at night?
• What seems to trigger the episodes?
• Describe the sensation that you feel when you have an episode?
• What helps relieve the symptoms?
• How long does the relief last?
• Have you tried any other treatments, and if so, did they help?
• Do you exercise?
• How many caffeinated beverages and alcoholic beverages do you consume in the typical day?
• Do you smoke? How many cigarettes a day?
• Describe your quality of sleep?

In addition to preparing the answers to these questions, you should write down any questions that you have.

Some examples of common questions to ask your physician include:

• What treatments are available to me?
• What can I do immediately to ease my symptoms once an episode of RLS starts?
• What can I do if an episode lasts longer than usual?
• Are there any websites or books that I can read to learn about my condition?
• What exercises can I do to help relieve my symptoms?
• Are there any local support groups for RLS that can help me manage my symptoms?

What Will People Say about My Condition?

In the past, some physicians and researchers used to doubt the existence of restless leg syndrome. This doubt made diagnosing RLS difficult. Many people were misdiagnosed or not treated correctly. As a result, some patients were reluctant to see a physician about their symptoms because they believed that their condition was all in their minds, or that it wasn’t a real condition.

Today, physicians and scientific researchers have learned more about the condition and they know that RLS is a real illness that affects millions of people worldwide. As a result of the increasing knowledge about the condition, any social stigma that may have accompanied a diagnosis of RLS has also been virtually eliminated.

If you believe that you may be suffering from the symptoms of restless leg syndrome, see your physician. While the physician can’t cure your restless leg syndrome, he or she can develop a plan involving lifestyle changes and/or medications that can significantly ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Finding More RLS Information

Check out the following sites if your looking for more details on RLS:

• RLS Foundation – A non-profit organization providing the latest information about RLS
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke – RLS Face Sheet
• WE MOVE – Restless Legs Syndrome Information