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Yashoda Hospitals > Diseases & Treatments > Neurology & Neurosurgery > Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Types, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological movement disorder characterized by unusual movements that disrupt sleep, like a strong urge to move the legs while at rest. This condition can occur at any age but worsens as people age and is most frequently seen in middle-aged groups. Walking, moving, or stretching the legs can temporarily relieve the urge to move your legs while resting. The exact cause of RLS is unknown, but according to research, one of the contributing factors is a disturbance in dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter that aids in controlling movement and sleep. Although there is no known cure for the condition, medications can help manage its symptoms and enhance the quality of life.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

What are the Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome?

  • Although the root cause of RLS is still not known, most of the cases are due to heredity & run in families. 
  • Certain conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, Parkinsonism, diabetes, & kidney or spinal cord injury, can be the contributing factors of RLS. 
  • Medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, & antihistamines can be the trigger factors & increase the severity of the condition. 
  • Low levels of iron or iron deficiencies can lead to RLS as they affect dopamine levels.
  • Hormonal changes and iron deficiency during pregnancy can be contributing factors to RLS.

What are the Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome?

  • Unexplained &  constant urge to move the lower limbs while at rest
  • Crawling, tingling sensations while sitting for long hours or at rest
  • Itching, burning, or pulsing sensations in feet, thighs, & rarely in arms.
  • Jerky leg movements (periodic limb movements) occur during the night.
  • Mood disturbances may result in depression or anxiety issues.
  • Trouble sleeping & may be awake for a long duration.
  • Difficulty concentrating & focusing on anything
  • Feeling sleepy during the day.
  • Feeling extremely tired.

What is the diagnosis & treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?

For an early diagnosis and treatment plan, it is best to speak with your healthcare provider as soon as you encounter any of the symptoms, which may interfere with your everyday activities and sleep schedule. Furthermore, in addition to the patient’s history, RLS can be diagnosed with physical and neurological examinations, as well as genetic testing to identify gene variations. While a sleep study is not normally used as a direct diagnostic technique in this condition, it is performed at night to assess their disrupted sleep patterns and assist them in managing related symptoms.

By leading a healthy lifestyle and taking your medication as directed, you can stop the condition from getting worse and get relief from these uncomfortable movements.

Treatment depends upon the cause & severity of RLS; mild cases, which do not involve any underlying cause, can be managed with simple lifestyle changes such as maintaining a sleep routine and avoiding smoking and drinking habits. On the other hand, severe cases that are caused by certain chronic conditions need medication.

  • Dopamine agonists such as pramipexole help in restoring the dopamine levels in the brain to improve the RLS symptoms. These drugs are not much preferred because they can cause augmentation, and daily use may make symptoms worse for some people.
  • Gabapentin, a calcium channel blocker, is often a preferred first-line drug for RLS, as they do not cause augmentation, unlike dopamine agonists, and works by reducing the excess nerve signaling and improving the symptoms of crawling, tingling, etc.
  • Iron supplements are recommended to improve sleep & restore dopamine function in iron deficiency-related RLS.
  • Low doses of opioids are commonly used to treat RLS when other medications fail to improve the symptoms.

 

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FAQ's

    Nutritious foods packed with magnesium, such as nuts, avocados, and green leafy vegetables, and folate-rich foods such as beans, are to be consumed to ease the discomfort caused by restless legs while avoiding caffeine or alcohol.

    Although gentle walking provides temporary relief, excessive exercise and late-night walks can worsen the condition and disrupt sleep.

    While restless legs syndrome is not a life-threatening condition, in severe cases it affects the sleep patterns & mood stability, leading to depression & anxiety.

    Restless legs syndrome, caused by an underlying condition such as iron deficiency, can be cured by treating this cause; however, primary RLS, where the cause is unknown, cannot be completely cured but can be managed with proper lifestyle & medication use.

    Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for muscle movement. Individuals with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) generally have low dopamine levels at night. Furthermore, it is thought that RLS symptoms worsen during periods of rest. As a result, the combination of low dopamine levels at night and worsening of symptoms during rest contributes to restless leg syndrome being worse at night.