Restless Legs Syndrome is a common neurological problem characterised by annoying feelings in the lower limbs and the compelling need to slowly move the legs, typically only when attempting to sleep. The peculiar experience, generally with the calves, is often described as a type of muscle cramp, soreness or perhaps a creeping, moving sensation. Some compare the feeling to being like shooting darts of electricity, or even invasive creatures inside the legs. Often the sensations vary in extent from uncomfortable to aggravating to being painful.
Essentially the most distinctive aspect of the problem is always that lying down and trying to unwind leads to the feelings. Because of this, many people with restless legs syndrome have difficulty dropping off to sleep as well as staying asleep. If this is not dealt with, the situation could cause lethargy and daytime low energy.
Those that have restless legs syndrome sense uncomfortable feelings within their legs, particularly when sitting or laying down, together with an hard to resist urge to move about. These types of feelings commonly happen deep within the leg, between the knee and ankle; more rarely, they will occur in the feet, thighs, arms, and even the hands. Although the symptoms can take place on only one side of the body, they frequently have an effect on both sides. Since moving the lower limbs alleviates the unpleasant feeling, people with restless legs syndrome generally keep the legs in motion to lessen or stop the feelings. They will often pace around, continuously moving the lower limbs whilst sitting, and toss and turn when in bed.
A lot of affected individuals find the symptoms of restless legs syndrome being much less obvious throughout the day and much more evident in the evening or during 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's causing it is unknown however sufferers a family history of restless legs syndrome make up roughly half of the cases, and people with lower iron levels or anaemia, chronic disorders such as renal failure, all forms of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and peripheral neuropathy, some pregnant women during the last trimester and people taking specific medicines are most often more likely to suffer from restless legs syndrome.
Restless legs syndrome may affect any individual of all ages, while the condition is much more frequent with increasing age. It occurs in both genders, even though the frequency can be slightly greater in women. From time to time those with this will encounter a natural reduction on symptoms over a period of weeks. While rare, spontaneous improvement after a number of years may happen. Whenever these kinds of changes take place, most commonly it is in the course of the first stages of the disorder. Typically, however, sensations become more intense with time.
Typically the medical diagnosis of restless legs syndrome is difficult to establish. Medical professionals typically rely mainly on the sufferers descriptions of symptoms and information using their medical history, which includes past medical conditions, family history, and present medicines. Individuals might well be inquired about the regularity, length, and the intensity of the symptoms along with their inclination for day sleep patterns and drowsiness, interference of sleep, or daytime symptoms. If a persons history is an indication of restless legs symptoms, laboratory assessments can be performed to rule out other issues and confirm the initial impression of restless legs syndrome. Blood testing, studies to determine electrical signals in the muscles as well as nerves, and Doppler lab tests in order to look at muscle impulses with the legs might be suggested. Such tests may document any related injury or condition in nerves or nerve roots or any other leg-related movement dysfunctions.
