Definition
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological illness that involves unpleasant sensations in the legs and the involuntary urges to move them. Sensations can range from "creeping", "buzzing", and "burning" and be uncomfortable to unbearably painful.
Both genders are affected by restless leg syndrome, although women suffer slightly more. Severity seems to increase with age and people can also go for days, weeks, or months without symptoms, only to have them return.
Symptoms
People who suffer from RLS experience parethesias (abnormal sensations) or dysethesias (unpleasant, abnormal sensations), usually when sitting still or lying down. The sensations usually occur between the knee and ankle of either or both legs, and more rarely in the thighs or arms and/or hands. Moving seems to diminish the weird sensations so sufferers often keep mobile during the day, and tend to move restlessly during their sleep. Some find the symptoms less troubling during the day as they escalate at night. Many find that long periods of inactivity or rest, such as car rides, sitting at the movies, or long airplane flights, trigger the syndrome.
A side-effect of restless leg syndrome is poor-quality sleep that often leaves sufferers exhausted and dysfunctional during the day. Constant tossing and turning and waking during the night make for poor sleep patterns.
Causes
RLS is generally idiopathic, or of unknown origin. Studies have shown a possible genetic link: 50% of cases show a family history of the disorder. Some situations/ factors that may cause or aggravate the neurological illness include:
- low iron levels
- other chronic disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or diabetes
- the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
- certain medications: antinausea, antiseizure, antipsychotic, or even cold/allergy meds
For information on treatment, read Restless Leg Syndrome: Treatment.
For more information on related neurological disorders, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.
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