Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable leg sensations that can interfere with resting or falling asleep.
Experts believe that low levels of iron in the brain may be responsible for RLS. An imbalance of dopamine is also believed to contribute. About 60% of people with restless legs have a family member with the condition, indicating a strong genetic component.
Anyone can have restless legs syndrome, but it’s more common in older adults and women. Mild symptoms of RLS may start in early adulthood and then increase with age.
It is believed that after the age of 50, RLS symptoms can often increase in severity and significantly disrupt sleep. Definitely not something to look forward to if you already are experiencing RLS.
Restless legs syndrome is also common during pregnancy (approximately 40% of pregnant women experience it).
Since this is an extensive topic, in our next article we will look at self-help tips you can try in order to find relief to your condition.
What is RLS?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable leg sensations that can interfere with resting or falling asleep.
Experts believe that low levels of iron in the brain may be responsible for RLS. An imbalance of dopamine is also believed to contribute. About 60% of people with restless legs have a family member with the condition, indicating a strong genetic component.
Anyone can have restless legs syndrome, but it’s more common in older adults and women. Mild symptoms of RLS may start in early adulthood and then increase with age.
It is believed that after the age of 50, RLS symptoms can often increase in severity and significantly disrupt sleep. Definitely not something to look forward to if you already are experiencing RLS.
Restless legs syndrome is also common during pregnancy (approximately 40% of pregnant women experience it).
Since this is an extensive topic, in our next article we will look at self-help tips you can try in order to find relief to your condition.
Common sign and symptoms of RLS:
Leg twitching or kicking while sleeping – Many people with RLS also have periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), which involves repetitive cramping or jerking of the legs during sleep.
Symptoms get worse at night – RLS typically flares up at night. In more severe cases, the symptoms may begin earlier in the day, but they become much more intense at bedtime.
Symptoms improve when you walk or move your legs – The relief continues as long as you keep moving.
Leg discomfort combined with a strong urge to move – Uncomfortable sensations deep within the legs, accompanied by a strong, often irresistible urge to move them.
Rest triggers the symptoms – The uncomfortable leg sensations start or become worse when you’re sitting, lying down, or trying to relax.
If this is you, you probably know all too well the agony you go through at night or when you’re relaxing, and the almost irresistible urge to constantly move your legs. This is classically known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).
Its that tingling, itching, aching feeling that can last for hours and really prevent you from getting a good nights rest. And this can lead to all kinds of side effects such as mood swings, lack of concentration, exhaustion to name a few.
A typical night in the life of RLS might look like this: You lie down in bed ready to go to sleep and just as your body begins to relax, the crawling, tingling, itching in your legs begin.
You do your best to ignore it thinking perhaps its just a matter of overriding the effects with your mind, but the urge becomes too strong and you have to just move your legs which oddly enough brings temporary relief.
Eventually, you’re up and pacing across the room, stretching and doing whatever you think you need to in order for it to stop. And it feels like it does – until you get back in bed and it begins again. It’s enough to drive any normal person on the edge!
In recent years, however, experts have discovered better ways to manage and relieve such symptoms, including simple lifestyle changes and self-help remedies you can practice at home to ease the somewhat unbearable sensation when you least want to deal with it.