What is Restless Legs Syndrome?
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a chronic condition characterized by an uncomfortable sensation in the legs that makes falling asleep and maintaining sleep difficult. It sometimes has a familial tendency.
What Causes Restless Legs Syndrome?
Individuals with a family history of this condition are known to be at higher risk. Apart from genetic predisposition, the syndrome can arise from many causes. When these causes are controlled, patients often experience significant relief. Major factors contributing to restless legs syndrome include vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, kidney failure, smoking, fibromyalgia, stress, and muscle diseases.
What are the Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome?
Patients feel pain in their legs when they go to bed in the evening and cannot find a comfortable position for their legs. They are almost fighting with their blankets. Although patients often cannot fully describe their discomfort, they typically complain of sensations such as discomfort, burning, tingling, stretching, pain, and numbness in the legs. These symptoms appear mostly in the late afternoon and at night when the legs are still. Patients say they feel relief when they get up and walk, move their legs, or receive a massage.
Restless Legs Syndrome can fluctuate, with periods of improvement (remission) and worsening (relapse). For example, symptoms may worsen during pregnancy. Excessive physical activity, exposure to extreme heat or cold, lack of sleep, certain medications, alcohol, and caffeine can also trigger flare-ups.
What is Recommended for People with Restless Legs Syndrome?
The temperature of the patient’s bedroom should be kept normal. Patients should wear comfortable pajamas, go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, avoid daytime napping as much as possible, and maintain a regular sleep-wake cycle. Patients should avoid allergy medications and drugs that reduce dopamine in the brain, as these can worsen symptoms. At least 45 minutes of daily exercise and drinking 1.5 to 2 liters of water is recommended. Very hot weather can trigger symptoms.
Can Restless Legs Syndrome Be Treated?
Although many medications are used in the treatment of restless legs syndrome, it is essential first to identify and treat any accompanying diseases and metabolic disorders. In most patients, symptoms may persist even after treating facilitating factors such as anemia and vitamin deficiencies. Mild symptoms can improve with massage, hot-cold applications, exercise, and avoiding triggering medications and caffeine.
In patients with moderate to severe restless legs syndrome, medication treatment is started. These patients are closely monitored, and dosages are adjusted to suppress disease activity. With medication, most patients can achieve highly satisfactory results.