People with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have an overwhelming urge to move their legs, especially at night or while asleep. The emergence of this feeling while falling asleep or during sleep also leads to sleep disorder. In fact, experts see this condition as a sleep disorder. The reason for making this inference is that the legs are constantly wanted to be moved because they remain motionless during sleep or while falling asleep. Of course, this syndrome is not limited to the sleep process alone. It is inevitable that it will manifest itself during long periods of inactivity. Staying too still in a movie theater, theater or on long trips also creates the feeling of moving the legs. Although this syndrome is associated with fatigue among the people, it is highly likely to worsen if not taken seriously and treated. Because it affects the activities of individuals in daily life.
What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can be so severe that people avoid bed and sleep. Individuals think that the uncomfortable feeling in their legs will be resolved if they go to sleep after sleep suppresses them. However, restless legs syndrome has nothing to do with intense sleep. It is difficult to describe this disease among the public, if it is difficult to describe this condition, the diagnosis is probably restless legs syndrome. Not just the desire to move the legs. Pain, numbness and tingling often accompany this urge to move.
The restlessness tends to ease when the legs are moved and massaged, mostly. In fact, patients often use the expressions "As if something is moving in my leg, which gets lighter when I move and massage..." when describing the disease. The incidence of restless legs syndrome varies from country to country. The disease, which is less common in eastern countries, is more common in western countries. The reason for this density is thought to be lifestyle and genetic factors.
Research in our country has shown that the incidence of the syndrome is around 3%. When we look at the age ranges in which restless legs syndrome is seen, it is quite variable. detected. It is possible to occur even in childhood, depending on genetic characteristics.
What are the Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome?
In people with restless legs syndrome, legs are used to eliminate unusual sensations and feelings in the legs. There is a very intense urge to move. This condition can also occur over time in other areas such as the arms, chest, or head and neck. This discomforting feeling usually affects both sides of the body, sometimes it starts from one side of the body and spreads to the other side. Among the most obvious symptoms are:
- tingling,
- burning,
- itching or throbbing.
It usually gets worse in the evening and at night. During sleep, patients relax by rubbing their legs on the bed or moving their legs if they are in bed. While some symptoms show themselves from time to time, they may occur every day in people with intense syndrome. Symptoms generally occur at rest, while lying down or sitting.
The disappearance of this feeling of restlessness when the legs are moved is also a symptom. Since these symptoms will decrease the standard of living as time progresses, it is always beneficial to be taken seriously and consult a specialist.
What are the Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome?
In many cases, restless legs syndrome does not have any specific cause. In the absence of such a cause, the disease is called idiopathic or primary restless legs syndrome. Studies have revealed that it is more common in people with iron deficiency. This iron level should be examined not only in the blood, but also as the iron level in the brain. Because iron deficiency in the brain can also cause restless legs syndrome.
In cases where the level of iron in the blood is normal, the level of iron in the brain may be low . Special neuroimaging techniques should be used to detect this. Restless legs syndrome, which occurs under the age of 40, is mostly caused by genetic factors. Studies have shown that RLS genes may be present on chromosomes. For women, sudden changes occur in the hormones in the body during pregnancy. This can cause the already existing syndrome to get worse or occur when it is not present at all.
In some pregnant women, it tends to occur only in the period close to the birth of the whole pregnancy. In such cases, the symptoms usually disappear after delivery. Considering the possibilities, the incidence of the syndrome is higher in women than in men. There is a possibility that the disease may occur due to an underlying disease. Restless legs syndrome may occur as a result of diseases such as polyneuropathy, Parkinson's, vitamin-mineral deficiencies, and kidney failure.
Allergy drugs used periodically and drugs used in the treatment of depression may increase the severity of the syndrome or cause it to occur. In addition, consumption of beverages containing caffeine, alcohol and cigarette use may increase the effect of restless legs syndrome.
How to Diagnose Restless Legs Syndrome?
The diagnosis of the disease requires a detailed history and examination of the patient by sleep diseases specialists. determined by the evaluation of the examination. In particular, blood tests can be done to detect iron deficiency. As a result of blood tests, anemia, diabetes or kidney function can be examined. Because these three factors can be important triggers of restless legs syndrome. In some cases, low thyroid hormone can also cause restless legs syndrome. For this reason, hormone tests can also be applied.
Sleep tests can be applied to see if there is a problem such as sleep apnea. As a result of these tests, conditions such as brain waves and heart rate are evaluated. If no results can be obtained as a result of these tests, a referral to a neurologist can be made. If the patient is using certain drugs for another disease, these drugs can be evaluated. Because it is not known that restless legs syndrome occurs as a side effect of some drugs.
What are the Treatment Methods for Restless Legs Syndrome?
Many drugs can be used in the treatment of restless legs syndrome. The purpose of these drugs used is to treat the underlying causes of the disease. If the disease is caused by diseases such as anemia, iron deficiency, diabetes, drugs are used to treat these diseases. For example, iron deficiency is treated with orally administered iron supplements.
Daily exercises, massages, cold or hot applications help reduce symptoms in patients with mild symptoms. Again, limiting the use of drugs that cause the disease has an important place in the treatment of the disease. The patients who use alcohol and cigarettes get away from these habits, and the disease is alleviated. In individuals with Parkinson's disease and kidney diseases, steps are taken towards the treatment of these diseases. Varicose veins treatment for patients with varicose helps relieve restless legs syndrome.
Diets can be adjusted for vitamin or mineral deficiencies or treatment with oral supplements can be applied. In some patients, the disease is tried to be alleviated with physical therapy methods. The movements recommended in physical therapy can also be applied by patients at home. Thus, the incidence of the syndrome decreases and its severity decreases significantly. The disease can mostly be treated with these methods.
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