| Restless Legs Syndrome is an affliction that | | | | who suffer. |
| manifests itself as an uncomfortable feeling your legs. | | | | There are other contributing factors as well such as |
| Lying down and sitting has the tendency to | | | | pregnancy and stress; as either of these can seem |
| aggravate these feelings. The only form of relief for | | | | to aggravate the symptoms. |
| the individual to relieve these uncomfortable feelings | | | | Restless leg syndrome can be difficult to diagnose |
| in their legs is by getting up and moving around. Most | | | | for a number of reasons. First of all, the actual cause |
| commonly these feelings occur during sleep and when | | | | can be attributed to a number of reasons or |
| they do; the person must wake up and move | | | | circumstance. Secondly, the vast majority of |
| around. This is why this syndrome is categorized as a | | | | sufferers don't seek medical attention for their |
| sleeping disorder - it is the constant disruption of | | | | condition. |
| sleep that the affected person must deal with. | | | | In order to accurately evaluate and diagnose, doctors |
| A hard to describe uncomfortable feeling in the | | | | need to ask a variety of questions including the type |
| person's legs (and even arms) is the most common | | | | of pain, when the pain occurs, the frequency of the |
| symptom of restless leg syndrome. The feelings | | | | occurrences, and what seems to make the |
| themselves are difficult to describe or to put into | | | | symptoms go away. Certainly a visit to a sleep clinic |
| words... but suffers of RLS know these aren't | | | | can go a long way toward the diagnosis because you |
| feelings of typical cramps or muscle soreness. | | | | can be monitored as you sleep. |
| Restless leg syndrome results in anything from a | | | | Moving about is the preferred method by most |
| tingling to a burning type of sensation. These feelings | | | | people when it comes to seeking relief. Walking |
| are most prominent during the nighttime or periods | | | | stretching and flexing exercises help when no other |
| of inactivity i.e. trying to sleep. The onset of restless | | | | diagnosis has been arrived at. However, if it is |
| leg syndrome can vary both in frequency and in | | | | determined that the cause is related to something |
| intensity. | | | | such as an iron deficiency, treating that specific |
| An off chute of RLS is involuntary leg flexing and | | | | element can many time alleviate the symptoms and |
| extension; otherwise known as Periodic Limb | | | | pain. |
| Movements of Sleep (PLMS). The difference is that | | | | Many times simple lifestyle changes are prescribed to |
| PLMS occurs during periods of sleep and most people | | | | eliminate the symptoms of restless leg syndrome. |
| who exhibit this aren't aware that it is happening... | | | | Occasionally RLS will be treated by stronger |
| except for anyone who may be in the same bed. | | | | prescription type of medications but to date this |
| A bodily chemical called dopamine (which controls | | | | type of treatment has had only mixed results. |
| muscle movement) appears to be the common | | | | Non-prescription treatments include over-the-counter |
| denominator with restless leg syndrome. The | | | | pain relievers, hot or cool packs, massage, yoga, |
| conventional thinking is that RLS may be somewhat | | | | exercise and development of a sleep routine that |
| hereditary since it occurs in families of 50% of those | | | | encourages better sleep. |