| Restless leg syndrome (RLS), which is also known as | | | | 20% of all diagnosis. Many researchers have |
| Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome and nocturnal | | | | theorized and believe that the majority of the issues |
| myoclonus, is a type of sleep disorder that is often | | | | associated with RLS are because of inadequate |
| misdiagnosed, and believed to be a neurological | | | | vitamin and mineral intake. Deficiencies of this type |
| disorder. For most people this disorder is | | | | can affect the brain, causing chemical imbalances. |
| characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs | | | | A report on RLS released in June of 2003 from a |
| and an uncontrollable desire to move them. The | | | | joint study by Penn State and Johns Hopkins found |
| symptoms of RLS generally worsen during the early | | | | that not enough iron was getting to the cells of the |
| evening or during the night leading to a decreased | | | | mid-brain of people who suffer from the symptoms |
| quality of sleep. This can cause subsequent fatigue, | | | | of restless legs. This study helped prove that RLS is |
| anxiety, or depression throughout the day along with | | | | not associated with any type of psychological |
| confusion and slowed mental processes. | | | | disorder and is in fact a sensory motor disorder. |
| It is estimated that restless leg syndrome affects | | | | The scientists at these two institutions found that a |
| about 5% of the United States population. It is not a | | | | receptor is either missing or not functioning properly |
| dangerous or life threatening condition, nor is it | | | | in the brain cells of people with RLS. This causes an |
| caused by or does it indicate a more serious disorder, | | | | iron deficiency in the brain cells which leads to |
| but it can be painful and life disrupting. | | | | misfiring neural signals that in turn causes the |
| The symptoms usually worsen over time for about | | | | symptoms. This also does not mean that those with |
| two-thirds of all people afflicted with this disorder and | | | | restless leg are iron deficient; it may just be that not |
| they can eventually be severe enough to be disabling. | | | | enough iron is actually making it into the brain cells. |
| In fact for many people the symptoms may be | | | | Because of this it is important to have iron levels |
| nothing more than an annoyance when they first | | | | tested before adding iron supplements to the diet. In |
| start and the condition itself may not be diagnosed | | | | fact it can be dangerous to take to much iron which |
| for 10 to 20 years after the symptoms begin. | | | | can cause an iron overload which can be very |
| There is no known definitive cause for restless leg | | | | dangerous. Visiting with your doctor can help |
| syndrome but one area of interest is iron deficiency | | | | determine if an iron deficiency is the cause of your |
| and anemia. This is the most commonly associated | | | | RLS and if taking an iron supplement is a viable |
| medical condition for RLS, accounting for just over | | | | restless leg treatment. |