| Restless Legs Syndrome is an affliction that | | | | |
| manifests itself as an uncomfortable feeling | | | | There are other contributing factors as well |
| your legs. | | | | such as pregnancy and stress; as either of |
| | | | these can seem to aggravate the symptoms. |
| Lying down and sitting has the tendency to | | | | |
| aggravate these feelings. The only form of | | | | Restless leg syndrome can be difficult to |
| relief for the individual to relieve these | | | | diagnose for a number of reasons. First of |
| uncomfortable feelings in their legs is by | | | | all, the actual cause can be attributed to a |
| getting up and moving around. Most commonly | | | | number of reasons or circumstance. Secondly, |
| these feelings occur during sleep and when | | | | the vast majority of sufferers don't seek |
| they do; the person must wake up and move | | | | medical attention for their condition. |
| around. This is why this syndrome is | | | | |
| categorized as a sleeping disorder - it is | | | | In order to accurately evaluate and diagnose, |
| the constant disruption of sleep that the | | | | doctors need to ask a variety of questions |
| affected person must deal with. | | | | including the type of pain, when the pain |
| | | | occurs, the frequency of the occurrences, and |
| A hard to describe uncomfortable feeling in | | | | what seems to make the symptoms go away. |
| the person's legs (and even arms) is the most | | | | Certainly a visit to a sleep clinic can go a |
| common symptom of restless leg syndrome. The | | | | long way toward the diagnosis because you can |
| feelings themselves are difficult to describe | | | | be monitored as you sleep. |
| or to put into words... but suffers of RLS | | | | |
| know these aren't feelings of typical cramps | | | | Moving about is the preferred method by most |
| or muscle soreness. Restless leg syndrome | | | | people when it comes to seeking relief. |
| results in anything from a tingling to a | | | | Walking stretching and flexing exercises help |
| burning type of sensation. These feelings are | | | | when no other diagnosis has been arrived at. |
| most prominent during the nighttime or | | | | However, if it is determined that the cause |
| periods of inactivity i.e. trying to sleep. | | | | is related to something such as an iron |
| The onset of restless leg syndrome can vary | | | | deficiency, treating that specific element |
| both in frequency and in intensity. | | | | can many time alleviate the symptoms and |
| | | | pain. |
| An off chute of RLS is involuntary leg | | | | |
| flexing and extension; otherwise known as | | | | Many times simple lifestyle changes are |
| Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS). The | | | | prescribed to eliminate the symptoms of |
| difference is that PLMS occurs during periods | | | | restless leg syndrome. |
| of sleep and most people who exhibit this | | | | |
| aren't aware that it is happening... except | | | | Occasionally RLS will be treated by stronger |
| for anyone who may be in the same bed. | | | | prescription type of medications but to date |
| | | | this type of treatment has had only mixed |
| A bodily chemical called dopamine (which | | | | results. |
| controls muscle movement) appears to be the | | | | |
| common denominator with restless leg | | | | Non-prescription treatments include |
| syndrome. The conventional thinking is that | | | | over-the-counter pain relievers, hot or cool |
| RLS may be somewhat hereditary since it | | | | packs, massage, yoga, exercise and |
| occurs in families of 50% of those who | | | | development of a sleep routine that |
| suffer. | | | | encourages better sleep. |