Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms
How do you know you have restless leg syndrome?
- Do you have an unbearable urge to move your legs?
- Do you feel uncomfortable sensations in your legs?
- Do your symptoms begin to get worse towards the evening or when you are in bed?
- Do your symptoms begin to feel better when you move your legs?
- Do you have trouble sleeping because of the pain or discomfort in your legs?
What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless leg syndrome involves unpleasant leg sensations when it is time to go to bed. Some patients describe it as a tingling in the legs. Others say it feels more like a prickling sensation, or a feeling like pins and needles in the legs. This tingling is very difficult to ignore, and many patients complain that it is frustrating, irritating, and leads to lack of sleep. Other patients experience sudden jerking of the legs during sleeping time or even while driving the car. This jerking of the legs can occur every twenty to thirty seconds. Many patients state that when they are experiencing restless leg syndrome, they must get up and move around immediately, or the sensations in their legs will get worse. Restless leg syndrome typically begins slowly, and the legs will become more affected as time goes on. Restless leg syndrome causes the legs to become painful. It usually will ease when the legs are in motion. Restless leg syndrome becomes more noticeable at times of rest. During the early evening and later at night, the pain in restless legs tends to increase. The result is typically insomnia. Lack of sleep has many effects on your life. It will impact your relationships, your work, and your overall health.
What are the causes of restless leg syndrome?
The cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown, although there are some associated factors with restless leg syndrome. Some of these factors include drugs and medications, including alcohol, caffeine, H-2 Histamine blockers, and some antidepressants. Health factors include being pregnant, obese, or having an iron deficiency or anemia. Nerve disease, polyneuropathy, exposure to toxins, diabetes, and kidney failure are also associated with restless leg syndrome. In addition, choosing to smoke may increase your chances for developing restless leg syndrome. In some instances, restless legs have run in families. It also seems to develop in people as they become older.
What are some treatments for restless leg syndrome?
There are some medications that are used for the treatment of restless leg syndrome. For example, opiods such as propoxyphene or tramadol are used for intermittent symptoms such as carbidopa-levodopa. Other medications include clonazepam, diazepam, baclofen, triazolan, temazepam, clonidine, and bromocriptine. Gabapentin has also been used for treatment as has pramipexole. In addition, avoiding some of the associated factors can lower your chances of developing restless leg syndrome, such as avoiding caffeine and smoking. Additionally taking baths, using electirc nerve stimulation, participating in acupuncture, and taking oral magnesium has been found by some to be helpful. Sleeping better at night will also help with your symptoms. In general, the treatment of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome is determined by first figuring out if there is an underlying illness involved. For example, if there is a test done on whether or not there is an iron deficiency and there is, there will be treatments diagnosed to solve that problem, and when that problem is solved, then the restless leg syndrome is calmed as well. Some people remark that getting better exercise has helped them with their restless leg syndrome.
