subject: Sleep Disorder That Affects The Legs - Restless Sleep Syndrome [print this page] Restless leg syndrome, generally known as RLS, is a sleep disorder that afflicts greater than 15 percent of adults.
It is affecting more women than men and the occurrence of restless leg malady increases with age. Certain medical ailments, such as diabetes, arthritis and varicose veins, also increase the risk of developing restless leg syndrome. This sleep disorder is indicated by an unmanageable urge to move the lower legs, knees and oftentimes the arms. Occasionally painful sensations accompany the impulse to go. Those who suffer from this sleep disorder describe the feelings and sensations in various ways. Many describe a tingling, itching or pulling sensation. Still others say it feels prickly or burns. Some feel as if they have worms crawling under their skin.
The sensations which are typical of this sleep disorder can occur anytime in the daytime or night. Restless leg syndrome occurring at night has a harmful result on sleep. The symptoms and signs will cause the sufferer for getting in and out of bed repeatedly which can delay or affect sleep. Since sleep in continuously interrupted, extreme daytime sleepiness is typical.
The combination of always thinking tired and the symptoms them can cause any person with restless leg issue to change their lifestyle. Long trips, movies, concerts and eating in restaurants are a few of these activities they usually avoid. Attending a lengthy meeting at work becomes very painful and uncomfortable. Moat people that have this sleep disorder often are afflicted by depression.
Researchers believe restless leg syndrome may be caused by malfunctions of the pathways in the brain that regulates movement reflexes and sensations. Sometimes this sleep disorder has a genetic base.
Restless leg issue are not to be diagnosed by a single test. Usually standard neurological examinations show no signs of an abnormality. On many occasions, a doctor helps to make the diagnosing restless leg syndrome based on the description of the your symptoms. And also take into account family history, and the results of a routine medical examination and blood tests.
Sometimes treatments for restless leg syndrome is focused at managing the debilitating sensations that accompany this sleep disorder. Often iron supplements are prescribed because severe anemia has been related to this disorder. Relaxation techniques, diet changes and removal of caffeine and alcohol can help some sufferers of restless leg malady.er
Normally, this sleep disorder is helped by drugs. These drugs could include dopamine agents, benzodiazepines, opioids or anticonvulsants. Medications do not cure restless leg syndrome, but they also deal with the symptoms. People that are afflicted by this sleep disorder usually have to stay on their medications throughout their lives.
Some other sleep disorder similar to restless leg issue is periodic limb movements disorder named as PLMD. There's two main dissimilarities between restless leg issue and periodic limb movements disorder. Restless leg syndrome occurs when the sufferer is awake or asleep; periodic limb movement problem only occurs when the sufferer is asleep. Stressed leg issue movements are voluntary responses to very unpleasant sensations; the movements of periodic limb movement disorder are involuntary and are not consciously controlled. These two sleep disorders can be successfully controlled with medical treatment.
