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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Or, you are in bed sleeping at night and you wake up when your legs jerk quickly. Startled, it takes you a few minutes to fall back asleep. What in the world was that?
Restless Leg Syndrome Explained
If these situations sound like something that has happened to you, you might be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. Restless leg syndrome, also referred to as RLS, or Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome, is an uncomfortable and widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition, thought to be caused by a neurological disorder.
Understanding what causes restless leg syndrome is a feat that doctors haven't quite mastered yet. Reasons for what causes restless leg syndrome runs the gamut from dehydration, a brain disorder, some forms of medications, stimulants like caffeine or the consumption of some fats and carbohydrates.
Doctors consider there to be two types of Restless Leg Syndrome. Primary Restless Leg Syndrome comes from genetics and will generally last throughout your life. Secondary Restless Leg Syndrome comes from non-hereditary sources like medications and stimulants.
How to Treat Restless Leg Syndrome
Because the exact reasons for what causes Restless Leg Syndrome isn't known for sure, the methods to treating the condition will vary from person-to-person.
If you think you have Secondary Restless Leg Syndrome resulting from some medication you are taking, ask your doctor if you can discontinue using the medication to see if it helps. If it decreases in frequency or disappears, you know your answer. Also, if it is caused by caffeine, you can stop using the stimulant to see if the conditions improve.
However, if you suffer from Primary Restless Syndrome because your family has a history of it, the best way to treat it is to stay away from the stimulants that aggravate it. The symptoms most likely won't disappear, but you can continue to treat it with hot baths, massages and a regular exercise program.
Dealing with the Annoyances
Though you can deduct what causes Restless Leg Syndrome in your body, it does not mean that it will stop completely or that it will become less annoying as time goes on.
Fortunately, you are not alone. Because so many people deal with Restless Leg Syndrome, you do not have to be fearful of people's reactions to it when it occurs in public. The discussion of the condition may help open doors to further exploration of what causes it.
Who knows, doctors may someday pinpoint the exact reasons to what causes Restless Leg Syndrome. Wouldn't that be a joyous occasion?
Both Sam Jackson & Rory Herts are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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