Restless Leg Syndrome Can’t Stop the Moving

Affecting almost ten percent of the population, restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs resulting in an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings.

RLS sensations are often described by people as burning, creeping, tugging, or like insects crawling inside the legs and these unpleasant sensations can only be relieved by moving the legs. 

For those suffering with restless leg syndrome, RLS, keeping the legs in motion helps to provide relief.  These people cross and uncross their legs, they pace and in bed they constantly toss and turn trying to find relief. 

For those diagnosed with restless leg syndrome taking a car or plane trip, trying to sit through a television show or a movie, other long periods of inactivity and certainly trying to sleep can all be nearly impossible because of RLS. 

The hallmark sign of RLS is that the symptoms occur when a person is at rest, trying to relax or lying down.  Because these patients feel they never get any relief, this disorder can significantly impact daily life. 

RLS can occur in both men and women although women seem to have a slightly higher incidence and pregnant women tend to experience the condition in the last trimester of pregnancy.  Restless leg syndrome can occur at any age, including infancy, but is typically seen in middle age adults.  The severity of the disorder seems to increase with age and elderly patients usually experience symptoms for longer periods of time and more frequently. 

In order to be diagnosed with RLS a patient must exhibit the following symptoms: a strong, almost irresistible, urge to move the legs caused by unpleasant sensations felt deep in the legs, symptoms that are worse during inactivity and at night, symptoms that are partially or totally relieved by movement and symptoms that are the worse of all at night. 

It is important to work with a healthcare provider to rule out other diagnosis that may cause similar symptoms.  Once other causes have been ruled out then a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome may be reached.

Some easy treatments for RLS include warm or cold packs to the legs, if directed by a physician, vitamin and mineral supplementation to correct deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium, and decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco.

Medications used to treat RLS may include dopaminergics, benzodiazepines (central nervous system depressants), opioids, and anticonvulsants.

In 2005, many RLS patients were very happy when ropinirole became the only FDA approved drug designed specifically to treat moderate to severe RLS.

Restless leg syndrome can definitely impact everyday life and patients deserve to be treated in an effort to find relief.  The ability to rest and relax is in the quiet legs.