Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome - Neurological Disorder 

Restless legs syndrome – RLS, is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease – WED and is a neurological disorder. It is the disorder of the part of the nervous system, affecting the legs which causes an unpleasant feeling in the feet, calves and thighs of crawling or creeping sensation with an irresistible urge to move them which often gets worse in the evening or at night, Moving the affected part modulates the sensations and provides some temporary relief to the affected person. It usually interferes with sleep at night and is considered a sleep disorder.

It can also be associated with involuntary jerking of the legs or even arms at times which is known as periodic limb movements. Its symptoms may tend to vary from being mild to severe and in severe cases; this condition could be very depressing which may disrupt the normal activities of the person.This condition ranges from pain or an ache in the muscles to an itch which one cannot scratch, or a tickle which does not stop, besides the crawling or creeping sensations. These sensations tend to begin or intensify at the time of quiet wakeful moments, while relaxing, reading or trying to drop off to sleep.

Nature of Body in Handling Dopamine

In most cases, the cause of restless legs syndrome is not identified though doctors refer this as idiopathic RLS or primary RLS which may tend to run in the family while some neurologist are of the opinion that the symptoms may have something to do with body’s nature in handling chemical called dopamine.

It plays a role in controlling muscle movement and could be responsible in the involuntary leg movement which is associated with restless legs syndrome. Some other cases of restless legs syndrome are caused due to the underlying health condition like iron deficiency anaemia or kidney failure and the doctors consider this as secondary RLS.

Pregnancy also has some link to restless legs syndrome and around one in five pregnant women may experience symptoms in the last three months of their pregnancy and at times, this condition tends to disappear after the women has given birth.

Good Sleep Pattern/Regular Exercises/Refrain from Alcohol, Smoking

Other mild cases of this ailment which may not be linked to an underlying health condition would not need any treatment, but the need to make a few lifestyle changes like adopting good sleep pattern which may involve regular hours and avoid alcohol, caffeine at night, do away with smoking if one tend to smoke and regular exercise during the day. If the symptoms are severe, treatment may be essential to regulate the level of iron and dopamine in the body.

If the condition is caused due to the iron deficiency anaemia then the need for iron supplements may be essential to overcome the symptoms. If the cause is not known, the symptoms may tend to get worse with time and may affect the person’s life though it is not a life threatening ailment but it can lead to insomnia and give cause for depression and worry.Women are more likely to develop restless legs syndrome than men and this condition is also common in middle age though the symptoms may tend to develop at any age which may also include childhood.