restless leg

Restless leg: What it is, what causes it, and how to treat it?

What is RLS, or restless legs syndrome?

RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom illness, is a sleep disorder that makes you feel acute, frequently uncontrollable urges to move your legs (and sometimes even your arms or body).

 

Along with other limb sensations like pulling, creeping, tugging, throbbing, itching, aching, burning, or crawling, it also happens.

 

These sensations typically happen while you’re lying down in bed or sitting still for a long time, such when you’re driving or watching a movie. RLS frequently manifests in the evening, making it challenging to get to sleep. Gabantin 600 mg medicine is good and best for all types of nerve pain.

RLS sufferers frequently want to move about and shake their arms or legs to try easing the uncomfortable feelings.

 

Who suffers RLS (restless legs syndrome)?

RLS can affect anyone, even young toddlers. RLS symptoms can start in either childhood or adulthood, but as people get older, their chances of developing the syndrome rise considerably. Women are more likely than men to experience RLS. RLS affects up to 10% of people in the US.

 

What is the basic cause of restless legs syndrome?

Sometimes the cause of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is hereditary, making it possible for children of parents who have the condition to inherit it. A first-degree relative with RLS affects up to 92% of people with the condition.

 

Compared to RLS sufferers without a hereditary connection, these individuals frequently experience symptoms before the age of 45.

 

Numerous disorders, including the following, are intimately linked to the onset of RLS in addition to its genetic basis.

 

  • Iron deficiency, or low iron levels.
  • Uremia (a disease that makes kidney function poorer).
  • The illness Parkinson’s.
  • A kidney condition.
  • I have rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Neuropathy in the periphery.

 

The onset of RLS might also be influenced by medications. Antidepressants, allergy treatments, and anti-nausea medications are examples of well-known medications. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine can all exacerbate symptoms.

 

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What RLS signs and symptoms may you expect to encounter?

The following are signs of restless legs syndrome:

 

Uncomfortable arms or legs:

Adults frequently report these uncomfortable limb sensations as creeping, itching, pulling, crawling, tugging, throbbing, scorching, or biting. These sensations can arise at other times when the limbs are not actively moving, although they typically happen during bedtime.

 

Urge to move the arms or legs:

You have a strong want to move your limbs, especially while you’re resting, such when you’re sitting or lying down, in order to reduce limb discomfort.

 

Sleep disturbance:

It frequently takes longer to fall asleep due to the impulse to move your limbs to ease the pain. Sometimes it can be challenging to fall asleep.

 

Behavioral problems before bed:

You might need to get out of bed to stretch your limbs to ease the ache because it is making you uncomfortable.

 

Slumber throughout the day:

Daytime sleepiness may stem from difficulties with sleep initiation and maintenance.

 

Issues with conduct and productivity:

Again, problems with daytime behavior (irritability, moodiness, difficulty concentrating, and hyperactivity) and work performance may result from sleep disruption.

 

RLS (restless legs syndrome) is diagnosed in what ways?

There isn’t a specific test for restless legs syndrome, which is unfortunate. Your symptoms serve as the basis for the diagnosis. To rule out any additional potential health problems linked to RLS, a medical history, thorough physical and neurological examination, and blood tests may be performed.

 

To check for other sleep problems, particularly obstructive sleep apnea, an overnight sleep study may be advised.

 

The following five requirements must be met in order to confirm an RLS diagnosis:

  • Have the impulse or want to move your legs (or arms), typically accompanied by unpleasant feelings like pulling, tugging, crawling, itching, aching, or burning.

 

Additionally, a compulsion to move or uneasy feelings:

  • Begin or get worse during periods of inactivity or rest.
  • By performing exercises on the afflicted muscles, such as stretching, walking, or a combination of these.
  • Are worse or only happen at night or in the evening.
  • Isn’t simply the result of another health issue or behavioral issue?

 

What is a treatment for restless legs syndrome (RLS)?

The severity of your symptoms will determine how you are treated for restless legs syndrome. If excessive daytime sleepiness and sleeplessness are affecting your quality of life, you should think about getting treatment. Specific treatment is also required in situations with RLS brought on by enduring medical conditions.

 

Medicines on prescription:

Your healthcare professional would probably recommend medication to treat RLS if your symptoms are frequent or severe. Options for medications include:

 

  • Anti-seizure medications can reduce or stop pain signals coming from leg nerves. Examples include pregabalin (Lyrica®), gabapentin (Neurontin®), and gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant®).

 

  • People with painful RLS brought on by neuropathy respond particularly well to these medications. The only medicine in this class that has FDA approval for RLS is gabapentin enacarbil. But other strategies might also work.

 

  • It is possible to treat RLS symptoms with opioids like methadone or oxycodone, but doctors rarely recommend them unless the condition is severe and other treatments have failed.

 

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