Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
By Roland Larrabee, M.D.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a cause of insomnia (trouble sleeping) for many people. RLS sufferers experience an uncomfortable sensation in the legs, typically occurring with inactivity, especially around bedtime.
Sensations include aching, twitching, tingling, burning, or prickling sensations in the lower leg muscles when they lie in bed or sometimes when they are sitting down. The discomfort is relieved only by getting up and standing or walking.
The exact cause of RLS is not known. It tends to run in families. It is more common after middle age and occurs more frequently in women than in men. It may be that a nerve malfunction is involved. RLS has also been linked with alcohol dependence, smoking, too much caffeine (usually from drinking coffee), pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, iron deficiency anemia, kidney disease, and diabetes. Use of some medicines may make symptoms worse (e.g., certain antidepressants, antinausea medications, and antipsychotic medications).
As a result of the irresistible urge to move the affected limbs and the need to do so to relieve symptoms, other complications can develop such as insomnia, chronic irritability, anxiety and depression.
For many people who have RLS, it is a great relief just to learn that there are other RLS sufferers like themselves and that they are not alone. For severe symptoms, various medications have been utilized, such as Requip, Permax, Sinemet, Mirapex, Neurontin, Tegretol and Klonopin, to name a few.
One can help himself by doing the following:
- Stretch or massage the leg muscles before going to sleep.
- Practice relaxation methods.
- Wear long socks to bed.
- Use a hot water bottle or cold compresses on the painful area before you go to sleep.
- Take a hot bath before bedtime.
- Avoid or cut back on caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa, cola).
- Avoid or cut back on alcohol.
- Improve your general health. Eat a healthy diet. Exercise regularly.
- Have good sleep hygiene by maintaining adequate sleep and avoiding vigorous exercise and stimulation within 2 hours of bedtime
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