Restless Leg Syndrome Basic Guide

By: John Furnem
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:20:38
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Have you ever had the urge to constantly move your lower extremities as a result of painful, restless legs? Usually, people try to not move when they are in pain, but if you suffer from restless leg syndrome, you’ll feel noticeably better if you keep your restless legs in motion.

At night, your symptoms may become increasingly unbearable. The next thing you know, you are having trouble achieving a restful, recuperative sleep. Don’t panic; you may be able to treat this syndrome by altering a few things in your daily routine. And when all else fails, your doctor can surely prescribe something for your restless legs.

Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms

The immediate cause of this syndrome is relatively unknown, but there are numerous symptoms associated with this condition. The main sign of restless leg syndrome is the deep urge to move about, primarily because your legs feel rather uncomfortable. You may experience an electrical charge, itching, pulling, pain and the feeling that your legs are on pins and needles. Some patients do not feel anything at all, but have the express need to move their legs. Usually, these symptoms are worse at night and increase the more the legs stay still. The more you try to relax, the worse the signs seem to get.

What Affects Restless Leg Syndrome?

There are numerous factors that are thought to contribute to the syndrome. Patients, who are pregnant, obese, anemic, diabetic or have some sort of vitamin or mineral deficiency, have experienced restless legs. Patients who smoke are also at risk. There have even been various medications and drugs that are connected to restless legs, such as Zantac, Elavil and other histamine blockers and antidepressant pills. Caffeine and alcohol are also known to produce restless legs. Sometimes, the condition arises in an individual who has a history of this syndrome in their family.

Treating Restless Legs

There is medication that can be used to treat restless leg syndrome. A doctor may prescribe something called an opioid, Neurontin, clondine, baclofen or Requip. These prescriptions may all seem foreign to you, but depending on your symptoms, one of these medications may help to ease your symptoms, along with changes in your daily routine.

Symptoms have been known to decrease in patients who have stopped smoking. Reducing the amount of coffee or alcohol that you drink also helps. Get enough sleep and bump up the exercise in your life. Try soaking your legs in either a warm or cold bath, depending on what feels better to you. Some have even turned to health alternatives, such as acupuncture, which feels pretty cool after one session.

It is estimated that close to 3% of the population will suffer from restless leg syndrome, meaning there is a slim chance that you are even experiencing this condition that may keep you up throughout the night with painful sensations. If no treatment seems to ease your restless legs, you may be dealing with something quite different.

There have been other conditions that have very similar symptoms that are often confused with restless leg syndrome. These include: nerve problems, poor circulation, joint conditions, as well as a muscle disease. It would be wise to head for the doctor on the double so that you may receive the proper treatment that you need. Having restless leg syndrome isn’t the end of the world. All you have to do is find the treatments that work best for you and that just might mean drinking a little less caffeine and going to bed a little earlier.

Article source: Expert Articles