Restless Legs Syndrome is an unpleasant neurological disorder which is characterised by unpleasant sensations within the legs and the powerful need to slowly move the lower limbs, typically experienced when attempting to get to sleep. The unusual sensation, generally in the calves, may be explained as a kind of cramp, ache or perhaps a creeping, moving feeling. Suffers of this compare the feeling to being like shooting darts of electricity, or possibly squirming bugs within the lower limbs. These feelings vary in intensity from uncomfortable to aggravating to agonizing.
By far the most unique aspect of the condition is always that lying down and attempting to relax causes the sensations. Because of this, a lot of people with restless legs syndrome experience difficulty falling asleep as well as remaining asleep. Left untreated, the problem causes tiredness as well as daytime fatigue.
Those with restless legs syndrome sense uncomfortable sensations in their legs, particularly when sitting or lying down, accompanied by an hard to resist urge to move about. These kinds of feelings generally occur deep inside the leg, typically between knee joint and ankle; and less frequently, they can appear in the feet, upper thighs, arms, and even the hands. Even though the sensations can take place on only one side of the body, they most often affect the two sides. Since moving the lower limbs minimizes the unpleasant feeling, those with restless legs syndrome often keep their lower limbs in motion to lessen or stop the sensations. They could pace the floor, constantly move the legs while seated, and move around when in bed.
A lot of people find the feelings of restless legs syndrome to generally be less evident in the daytime and much more conspicuous later in the day or through the night, particularly in the course of the beginning of sleep. For some people, the symptoms disappear by early morning, allowing for more refreshing sleep at that time. Other triggering situations are periods of inactivity such as long car trips, sitting in a movie theatre, long-distance flights, immobilisation in a cast, or relaxation exercises.
What caused it is unknown but sufferers a family background of restless legs syndrome make up around 50% of the cases, and those with low iron levels or anemia, chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and peripheral neuropathy, plus some women that are pregnant during the last trimester and people taking specific medicines are most often more prone to to be affected by restless legs syndrome.
Restless legs syndrome can impact anyone of any age, while the problem is much more prevalent with advancing age. It happens in both genders, although the frequency might well be slightly increased in females. Sometimes individuals will encounter a natural improvement after a number of weeks or months. While rare, spontaneous improvement following a number of years can also take place. If these improvements happen, it is usually while in the early stages of the disorder. Normally, however, sensations become more severe over time.
The actual clinical diagnosis of restless legs syndrome is tricky to arrive at. Medical professionals usually depend mainly on the sufferers descriptions of symptoms and details from their medical history, such as prior health concerns, family history, and also present drugs. Patients could be inquired about regularity, length, as well as intensity of symptoms along with their inclination for day time sleeping activities and sleepiness, disruption of sleep, or any day time functionality. If a persons background is suggestive of restless legs symptoms, laboratory assessments can be done to eliminate other issues and support the initial impression of restless legs syndrome. Blood tests, studies to determine electrical signals in muscle tissue and nerves, and Doppler studies in order to evaluate muscle activity with the legs can be recommended. Such medical tests can easily find any related damage or disease in the nerves and nerve roots or another leg-related motion conditions.