Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome Diagnosis

2006-08-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

Restless Leg Syndrome Diagnosis?

Are you are looking to find a diagnose for restless leg syndrome? You will need to do some serious search online, because RLS was actually not diagnosed yet clinically. By that i mean, by evaluating the patient's history and symptoms.

There is, of course a clear description of its's clinical features, however, the condition is very often misdiagnosed or even under-diagnosed. A fey years back, in 1995, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group identified four basic criteria for diagnosing RLS.

What are these four basic criteria?

1. A desire to move the limbs, often associated with paresthesias or dysesthesias

2. Symptoms that are worse or present only during rest and are partially or temporarily relieved by activity

3. Motor restlessness

4. Nocturnal worsening of symptoms

Most people with restless leg syndrome have sleep disturbances. This is largely because of the limb discomfort. The result of this is excessive daytime sleepiness and also fatigue.

So, obviously, the clinical diagnosis of restless leg syndrome is difficult to make. Physicians must rely largely on patients' descriptions of these symptoms and information from their previous medical history. That's including their past medical problems, family history, and current medications. The restless leg syndrome can sometimes be misdiagnosed as "growing pains" or attention deficit disorder. More to come in my next article about restless leg syndrome.

What causes restless leg syndrome?

2006-04-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

Restless legs syndrome or shortly RLS, is a health condition in which legs feel very uncomfortable while sitting or lying down, especially at night. Usually it makes one feel like getting up and moving around. When doing so, the unpleasant feeling of restless legs syndrome might go away, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Restless leg syndrome affects both, men and women and can begin when you're young or as you get older. Restless legs syndrome can disrupt sleep thus leading to daytime drowsiness.

So, what causes restless leg syndrome?

Nobody actually knows the real cause for restless leg syndrome. Some research has been done and the researchers suspect it might be due to an imbalance of the brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine sends messages to control muscle movement.

It has also been noticed that restless leg syndrome runs in families and that stress tends to make things even worse. If there is any changes in hormonal balance, that may worsen restless leg syndrome symptoms. Also, some women experience restless leg syndrome during their pregnancy and it dissapears soon after the delivery.

However, restless leg syndrome is not related to some serious medical problems, but sometimes it accompanies other conditions and some of them are peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy damages the nerves in hands and feet and sometimes it is due to chronic diseases such as diabetes and alcoholism. Also, iron deficiency might cause restless leg syndrome, it might cause or worsen restless legs syndrome.

Researchers assume that kidney failure might be the cause too, at least to some degree. This is when the kidney does not function properly, iron stores in blood can decrease and cause some of the rls symptoms. All these and some other changes in body chemistry may cause or worsen restless leg syndrome.

Some other, known causes of restless leg syndrome include muscle overexertion, prolonged sitting, dehydration, decreased potassium levels, neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, certain medications, such as albuterol, niacin, diuretics, and some calcium channel blockers and antipsychotic medications, also alcohol use.

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Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome Causes

2006-03-18T05:37:00.000-08:00

Causes of restless leg syndrome

RLS is either primary or secondary. Primary RLS is considered idiopathic, or with no known cause. However, there is a high incidence of familial cases, suggesting a genetic tendency in primary RLS. Primary RLS starts before age 40 or 45 (can occur as early as the first year of life). In primary RLS, the onset is often slow. The RLS may disappear for months, or even years, however it always returns. It is often progressive and gets worse as the person ages.

Secondary RLS often had a sudden onset and may be daily from the very beginning. It often occurs after the age of 40, however it can occur earlier. It is most associated with specific medical conditions or the use of certain drugs. The conditions include: pregnancy, iron deficiency, folate deficiency, uremia, diabetes, thyroid problems, peripheral neuropathy, and certain auto-immune disorders such as Sjogren's, Celiac Disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of the underlying condition often eliminates the RLS.

Both primary and secondary RLS can be worsened by surgery of any kind, however back surgery or injury is often associated with causing RLS.

Certain medications may worsen RLS in those who already have it, or cause it secondarily. These include: anti-nausea drugs, certain antihistamines (often in over-the-counter cold medications), drugs used to treat depression (both older tricyclics and newer SSRIs), antipsychotic drugs, and certain medications used to control seizures.

Source: Wikipedia

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome II

2006-03-10T07:06:00.001-08:00

What is restless legs syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome is a condition that produces an intense, often irresistible urge to move your legs because of unpleasant sensations, usually while you are trying to sleep. Moving your legs sometimes provides temporary relief. Restless legs syndrome often interferes with sleep, and that can lead to severe fatigue and problems functioning during the day.

What causes restless legs syndrome?

The cause of restless legs syndrome is unknown. It may be genetic because it runs in families. Conditions such as iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia, kidney failure, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease may be associated with it. However, most people who seek treatment do not have one of these other conditions. Restless legs syndrome may result from abnormal balances of iron in your blood and of the brain chemical dopamine. However, more research is needed to prove a connection.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome

2006-03-09T03:22:00.000-08:00

Restless Leg Syndrome

Welcome to my blog about restless leg syndrome. Here you will find tons of information about the restless leg syndrome and how to treat restless leg syndrome. Bookmark this blog and stay tuned for my next, very exciting article about restless leg syndrome. Thank you for visiting.

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Restless Leg Syndrome