RLS usually isn't related to a serious underlying medical problem. However, it sometimes accompanies other conditions, such as: Peripheral neuropathy. This damage to the nerves in the hands and feet is sometimes due to chronic diseases such as diabetes and alcoholism.
Restless legs syndrome isn't life threatening, but severe cases can severely disrupt sleep (causing insomnia) and trigger anxiety and depression.
In most cases, the cause of RLS is unknown. However, RLS often runs in families and specific gene variants have been associated with the condition. Low levels of iron in the brain also may be responsible for RLS. RLS also may be related to a dysfunction in a part of your brain that controls movement.
Restless legs syndrome affects about 5 to 10 per cent of people. It's more common among women and older people, but it can occur at any age. People with RLS who are otherwise healthy are said to have primary RLS. These people often have a family history of the condition.
Restless legs syndrome is a lifelong condition that might get worse with age. But some people go into remission and don't have symptoms for days to years. Keep your doctor updated on how you're doing. If you start to feel worse, they might suggest lifestyle changes or medications.
Who gets restless legs syndrome (RLS)? People of any age, including children, can have RLS. Symptoms of RLS may begin in childhood or adulthood, but the chance of having the syndrome increases significantly with age. RLS is more common in women than in men.
massaging your legs. taking a hot bath in the evening. applying a hot compress to your leg muscles. doing activities that distract your mind, such as reading or watching television.
Fast facts on restless legs syndrome:
The condition is often caused by a combination of mental and physical factors. Women are more likely to be affected with RLS during pregnancy.
Restless legs syndrome can precede, accompany, or follow an escalation of other anxiety sensations and symptoms, or occur by itself. It can precede, accompany, or follow an episode of nervousness, anxiety, fear, and elevated stress, or occur 'out of the blue' and for no apparent reason.
Left untreated, the condition can cause exhaustion and daytime fatigue. People with RLS feel uncomfortable sensations in their legs, especially when sitting or lying down, accompanied by an irresistible urge to move about.
Restless legs syndrome may cause you to get fewer hours of sleep each night. Many people with severe cases get less than five hours of sleep per night. Milder cases do not disturb your sleep as much, though the sleep may be of poorer quality.
Magnesium supplementation is often suggested for restless legs syndrome (RLS) or period limb movement disorder (PLMD) based on anecdotal evidence that it relieves symptoms and because it is also commonly recommended for leg cramps.
Gabapentinoids — Pregabalin, gabapentin, and gabapentin enacarbil are all appropriate first-line therapies for chronic persistent RLS in many patients [7,49,50].
These sensations can last for an hour or longer, slowly increasing in severity. While the sensations are most often bilateral, some patients experience them only on one side of the body. The most common time for RLS to occur is at night when the person lies down to sleep.
It is characterized by uncomfortable sensations deep in the legs developing at rest that compel the person to move; symptoms are worst at night and sleep disturbance is common. RLS occurs in 7%–11% of the population in Western countries, and many such people experience troublesome symptoms.
Since the symptoms of the syndrome appear or worsen in resting and immobility times, these symptoms may improve by moving. Therefore, moderate exercise can be helpful (2). Exercises like walking, massaging, stretching, swimming, and stationary cycle can help relieve symptoms (12).
Restless legs syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, can begin at any age and generally worsens as you age. It can disrupt sleep, which interferes with daily activities. Simple self-care steps and lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms. Medications also help many people with RLS .
drinking more water. Dehydration may cause the urge to move the legs, so some people find drinking a glass of water stops the urges for a short while. soaking your feet in hot water just prior to going to sleep. wearing compression stockings or tights in bed.
Tips for increasing your potassium include: Eating more fruits, like bananas, can help restless legs syndrome. Eating more vegetables, like leafy greens, can help restless legs syndrome
Sleeping Position
Along with a new mattress, how you sleep is essential to alleviating RLS symptoms. For instance, sleeping on your back is ideal because it evenly distributes your body weight and lets your back muscles relax.
Use a body pillow to put some space between you and your partner, and also have them put a pillow between their legs to minimize movements. Getting separate blankets can also help prevent the relentless kicking from uncovering one of you in the middle of the night.
Symptoms tend to be worse when inactive, including when relaxing or lying down. As a result, the symptoms of RLS often disrupt sleep. RLS affects 5 to 10% View Source of adults and 2 to 4% of children in the U.S. and it is found in women more often than men.
In Australia, only ropinirole and pramipexole have RLS as a listed treatment indication, and pramipexole now has a restricted PBS listing. However, the other dopamine precursors and agonists have been utilised for many years for RLS. The diagnosis of the RLS is clinical.