Restless Legs Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Restless legs syndrome

A condition in which a person experiences discomfort in the lower extremities (less often in the upper ones), causing an irresistible urge to move the legs or arms, is called restless legs syndrome (RLS).

People with this syndrome report that discomfort usually appears at rest in the evening or at night, especially when lying down or sitting. In some cases, RLS leads to serious sleep disturbances and in 15% of cases is the cause of insomnia (chronic insomnia), which significantly affects a person's quality of life.

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome can be mild and not particularly disturbing, but can be unbearable and desperate. The syndrome occurs among all age categories, but people of middle age and elderly people suffer from it much more often.

In 20% of cases, RLS occurs in pregnant women, symptoms appear in the II-III trimester, and after delivery completely disappears.

Restless legs syndrome: causes

The appearance of RLS in 20% of cases is associated with a deficiency or improper redistribution of iron in the body; other causes of restless legs syndrome can be diseases such as:

• Varicose veins and venous reflux;
• Deficiency of folic acid, B vitamins and magnesium;
• Fibromyalgia and uremia;
• Sleep apnea and diabetes mellitus;
• Diseases of the thyroid gland;
• Peripheral neuropathy;
• Amyloidosis and gastric resection;
• Parkinson's disease and Sjogren's syndrome;
• Celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

The appearance of restless legs syndrome is also possible in cryoglobulinemia, alcoholism, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis, porphyrias, obliterating arterial disease, radiculopathy, spinal cord lesions, essential tremor, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and fibromyalgia.

In completely healthy people, RLS is also sometimes manifested as a result of stress, intense physical activity and the use of a large number of drinks containing caffeine.

Also, the cause of the appearance or aggravation of restless legs syndrome can be the use of drugs such as:

• Antiemetics;
• Antidepressants;
• Antihistamines;
• Antipsychotic and some anticonvulsants.

The genetic factor also plays a significant role - almost half of people suffering from restless legs syndrome are members of families where the disease has been passed down from generation to generation.

RLS symptoms

The symptom is characterized by the appearance of unpleasant sensations of a stabbing, scraping, itching, pressing or bursting character in the lower extremities. Symptoms mostly appear at rest and are significantly reduced with physical activity.

To alleviate the condition, patients resort to various manipulations - they stretch and bend, massage, shake and rub their limbs, during sleep they often toss and turn, get out of bed and walk from side to side, or shift from foot to foot. Such activity helps to stop the manifestation of the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, but as soon as the patient goes to bed again, or just stops, they come back.

A characteristic sign of the syndrome is the manifestation of symptoms at the same time, on average, it reaches its maximum severity from 12 am to 4 am, the minimum is from 6 to 10 am.

In advanced cases, with prolonged absence of treatment, the circadian rhythm of restless legs syndrome disappears, symptoms appear at any time, even while sitting. This situation greatly complicates the life of the patient - it is difficult for him to withstand long trips in transport, work at a computer, visit cinema, theaters, etc.

Due to the need to constantly exercise movements during sleep, over time, the patient develops insomnia, which leads to rapid fatigue and drowsiness during the day.

Diagnosing restless legs syndrome

There is no specific medical test to diagnose restless legs syndrome, however, blood and urine tests may help rule out other conditions.

RLS diagnostics is carried out on the basis of:

• Symptoms described by the patient;
• Answers to questions regarding the health of relatives;
• Interviewing a patient about previously used drugs.

An important role is played by sleep - for example, if the patient prefers to sleep during the day, due to the appearance of discomfort in the limbs in the evening or at night, a diagnosis of RLS can be assumed.

Restless legs syndrome treatment

The main treatment for restless legs syndrome is aimed at reducing symptoms, reducing daytime sleepiness, and improving the patient's quality of life.

Before proceeding with direct treatment, it is initially necessary to determine the cause of the syndrome. So, if it turns out that RLS is a consequence of taking medications, they must be canceled. In cases where the syndrome is a symptom of another disease, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.

Treatment of the syndrome, first of all, should be aimed at replenishing the existing deficiency of iron, B vitamins, magnesium, folic acid, etc. In a medical institution, both drug and non-drug treatment can be used.

Patients are advised to take an evening shower, follow a balanced diet, stop smoking and drinking alcohol, exercise moderately, exclude caffeinated drinks and foods in the evening, and walk before bedtime.

Restless legs syndrome is a condition in which a person experiences uncomfortable sensations in the limbs, which makes the person feel an overwhelming urge to move their legs (or arms). Timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease allows you to completely get rid of the symptoms accompanying the disease.

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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!