Restless legs syndrome (RLS) or Wittmaack–Ekbom syndrome is common condition characterized by an uncontrollable or overwhelming urge to move one's body to stop uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations. Mostly affects the legs, but can also affect the arms, torso, and even phantom limbs. Moving the part that is affected can temporarily relieve the sensations providing temporary relief.
Restless legs syndrome may start to show at any age and can generally worsen at a longer times as you get older. Ideally, women are more prone to develop this condition than men. People, who have this syndrome, normally describes their feelings as unpleasant sensations in their calves, thighs, feet or arms that maybe express as crawling, tingling, cramping, creeping, pulling, electric, itchy, tugging, gnawing, and or burning sensations.
Common types of RLS may either be primary or secondary:
Primary RLS is considered idiopathic, or with unknown cause and may approximately begin at an early adulthood stage within the age range of 40-45 years old. The symptoms may initially be mild and worsens as it goes with age.
Secondary RLS often occurs as a result of health complications or from the use of certain medication. The onset of the symptom may suddenly occur in the late age of 40.
Both primary and secondary RLS can be worsened through any kind of surgery, the most common of which is through back surgery or injury which is associated with the onset of RLS.
The Common Criteria or Characteristic of the Signs and Symptoms of RLS may include but not limited to the following areas:
- uncomfortable sensations in the legs
- a compelling and overwhelming urge to move your legs
- difficulty falling asleep or disturbed sleep
- nighttime leg twitching or Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS)
- relief by movement. Or Improvement with activity.
- worsening at rest especially during the evening or night
The cause of restless leg syndrome(RLS) has been associated with the following:
pregnancy, obesity, smoking, iron deficiency/ anemia, nerve disease, polyneuropathy (which can be associated with hypothyroidism, heavy metal toxicity, toxins, and many other conditions), other hormone diseases such as diabetes, and kidney failure (which can be associated with vitamin and mineral deficiency).
Some drugs and medications have been associated with restless leg syndrome including:
caffeine, alcohol, H2-histamine blockers (such as ranitidine [Zantac] and cimetidine [Tagamet]), and certain antidepressants (such as amitriptyline [Elavil, Endep]).
And other associated conditions which may include the following:
varicose vein or venous reflux, folate deficiency, magnesium deficiency, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, uremia, diabetes, thyroid disease, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease and certain auto-immune disorders such as Sjögren's syndrome, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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