What is restless legs syndrome?

 Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom syndrome, causes uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs and a compelling desire to move them. Symptoms usually appear during the day or evening and are usually worse at night when a person is resting, such as when sitting or lying in bed. They can also occur when a person is inactive and sits for a long time (for example, when traveling on an airplane or watching a movie). Since symptoms may be worse at night, you may have difficulty falling asleep or going back to sleep after waking up. Moving or walking relieves the discomfort, but the feeling usually returns as soon as the movement stops. RLS is classified as a sleep disorder because symptoms are triggered by resting and trying to sleep, and as a movement disorder because people are forced to move their legs to relieve symptoms. However, it is best known as a neurological disorder with symptoms arising in the brain itself.

RLS is one of several disorders that can cause exhaustion and daytime sleepiness, which can strongly affect mood, concentration, work, and school performance, and personal relationships. Many people with RLS report that they are often unable to concentrate, have memory problems, or are unable to perform daily tasks. Raw moderate to severe RLS can lead to an approximately 20 percent decrease in work productivity and can underwrite depression and anxiety. It can also make travel difficult.

It is estimated that up to 7-10 percent of the US population may have RLS. RLS occurs in both males and females, though women are more likely to have it than men. It can start at any age. Many people who are severely affected are middle-aged or older, and symptoms tend to become more frequent and last longer with age.

More than 80 percent of people with RLS also experience periodic limb movement during sleep (PLMS). PLMS is characterized by involuntary jerking or jerking movements in the legs (and sometimes arms) during sleep, which usually occur every 15 to 40 seconds, sometimes during the night. Although many people with RLS also develop PLMS, most people with PLMS do not experience RLS.

 Fortunately, most cases of RLS can be treated with non-drug therapies and, if necessary, with medications.

Symptoms:

The Restless Legs Syndrome International Study Group described the following symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS):

Strange itching, tingling, or "crawling" sensations occur deep in the legs; These sensations can also occur in the arms.

An urgent need to move the limbs to alleviate these sensations.

Restlessness: Walking on the floor, tossing and turning, rubbing legs

Symptoms can occur only when lying down or sitting down. Sometimes persistent symptoms get worse when lying down or sitting and improve with activity. In very severe cases, symptoms may not improve with activity.

Other symptoms of RLS include the following:

Sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness.

Involuntary, repetitive, periodic, and jerky movements of the limbs that occur during sleep or while you are awake and at rest. These movements are called periodic movements of the legs during sleep or periodic movement of the limbs disorder. Up to 90% of people with RLS also have this disorder.

In some people with RLS, symptoms do not occur every night but come and go. These people may go weeks or months without symptoms (remission) before symptoms return.

Types:

There are two main types of SPI

Primary or idiopathic RLS

Idiopathic means the cause is unknown.

It is the most common type and has the next characteristics:

· It usually begins before age 40

· It can start from childhood

· It may have a genetic cause

· Once primary RLS begins, it tends to last a lifetime

Symptoms can be sporadic or gradually worsen and become more frequent over time.

In mild cases, the person may not have symptoms for a long time.

Secondary RLS

A secondary disorder is caused by an additional disease or condition.

Secondary RLS usually begins after age 45 and is not usually inherited. This type of SPI is clearly different:

· The onset is sudden

· Symptoms do not usually get worse over time

· Symptoms can be more severe

Illnesses and symptoms that can trigger secondary RLS include:

· Diabetes

· Lack of iron

· Renal insufficiency

· Parkinson's disease

· Neuropathy

· The pregnancy

· Rheumatoid arthritis

Exactly how RLS occurs is not well understood, but it may be related to the way the body processes dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in controlling muscle movements. Some medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and antidepressants, can trigger RLS. These drugs affect the activity of dopamine.

It is also related to pregnancy. About 20 percent of women experience RLS during the last trimester of pregnancy, although the reasons are unclear.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

PLMD is a also related sleep disorder, sometimes termed periodic limb (leg) movement during sleep (PLMS). In people with PLMD, the limbs twitch or shake uncontrollably while they sleep. It is also careful a type of sleep disorder. Movement can cause the individual to wake up frequently during the night and this can undermine the quality and duration of sleep. It can cause SPI.

Causes:

Most of the time, the cause of RLS is a mystery. There may be a genetic tendency and an environmental trigger.

More than 40 percent of people with RLS have a family history of the condition. In fact, there are five genetic variants associated with RLS. When it is hereditary, symptoms usually begin before the age of 40.

There may be a connection between RLS and low iron levels in the brain, even when blood tests show that your iron level is normal.

RLS may be related to a disruption in dopamine pathways in the brain. Parkinson's disease is also related to dopamine. That may clarify why many people with Parkinson's also have RLS. Some of the same drugs are used to treat both conditions. Research on these and other theories is ongoing.

It is possible that certain substances such as caffeine or alcohol can trigger or intensify symptoms. Other potential causes include medications to treat:

· Allergies

· Nausea

· Depression

· Psychosis

Primary RLS is not related to an underlying condition. But RLS can actually be a consequence of another health problem, such as neuropathy, diabetes, or kidney failure. When that's the case, treating the main condition can solve RLS problems.

Diagnosis:

There is no single test to diagnose restless legs syndrome.

The diagnosis will be based on your symptoms, medical and family history, a physical exam, and test results.

Your GP should be able to diagnose restless leg syndrome but can refer you to a neurologist if there is any doubt.

There are 4 main criteria that your GP or specialist will look for to confirm a diagnosis.

· An irresistible urge to move your legs, typically with an uncomfortable sensation, such as itching or tingling

· Your symptoms occur or are worse when you are resting or inactive

· Your symptoms are relieved by moving or rubbing your legs

· Your symptoms get worse in the afternoon or evening

· Assess your symptoms

· Your GP or specialist will ask about the pattern of your symptoms to help assess their severity

For example, they may ask you:

· How often do you have symptoms

· How unpleasant do you find your symptoms

· If your symptoms cause significant distress

· If your sleep is interrupted, making you feel tired during the day

· Keeping a sleep diary can help your doctor evaluate your symptoms

You can use the diary to record your daily sleeping habits, such as the time you go to bed, the time it takes to fall asleep, how often you wake up during the night, and episodes of fatigue during the day.

Mild symptoms of restless legs syndrome can usually be treated through lifestyle changes.

For example:

· Establish a regular sleep pattern

· Avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco, at night

· If your symptoms are more severe, you may need medicine to control them

Blood test

Your GP may refer you for blood tests to settle or rule out possible fundamental causes of restless legs syndrome.

For example, you may have blood tests to rule out conditions such as anemia, diabetes, and kidney function problems.

It is particularly important to know your blood iron levels because low iron levels can sometimes cause secondary restless legs syndrome.

Low iron levels can be treated with iron tablets.

Sleep tests:

If you have restless legs syndrome and your sleep is severely disrupted, sleep tests, such as a suggested immobilization test, may be recommended.

The test involves lying on a bed for a set period of time without moving the legs while monitoring the involuntary movements of the legs.

On occasion, polysomnography may be recommended. This is a test that measures your breathing rate, brain waves, and heartbeat over the course of one night.

The results will confirm if you have periodic limb movement during sleep (PLMS).

Treatment

Treatment of restless legs syndrome is contingent on the intensity of the symptoms. Treatment should be considered if the quality of life is affected by insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. In cases of RLS due to ongoing medical conditions, specific treatment is also necessary.

Non-pharmacological treatments. Non-drug treatments are tried first, particularly if symptoms are mild. Non-drug treatments include:

· Exercise regularly, such as riding a bike / stationary bike or walking, but avoid heavy/intense exercise a few hours before bed.

· Follow good sleep habits, such as avoiding reading, watching television, or using a computer or telephone while lying in bed; get 7 to 9 hours of sleep and follow other healthy sleep habits. Not getting enough sleep can make RLS symptoms worse.

· Avoid or limit caffeinated harvests (coffees, teas, colas, chocolates, and some medications [check labels]), nicotine, and alcohol.

· Apply a heating pad, or cold pack, or rub the legs to temporarily relieve leg discomfort. Also consider massage, acupressure, ambulatory, light stretching, or other relaxation techniques.

· Soak in a hot tub.

· Try magnesium supplements. Can be useful.

· Reduce stress as much as possible. Try meditation, yoga, soft music, or other options.

· Iron supplements. Iron deficiency is a reversible cause of RLS. If blood tests reveal that you have low iron levels, your doctor may recommend taking an iron supplement.

Prescription drugs. When RLS symptoms are recurrent or severe, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe medications to treat the disorder. Medication options include:

Dopamine agonists switch the urge to move, sensory symptoms in the legs, and reduce involuntary jerking of the legs throughout sleep. Ropinirole (Requip), pramipexole (Mirapex), and rotigotine patch (Neupro) are FDA-approved dopamine agonists used for RLS.

Anti-seizure medications can slow or block pain signals from the nerves in the legs. Examples include gabapentin enacarbyl (Horizant), gabapentin (Neurontin), and pregabalin (Lyrica). These medications are particularly effective in patients with painful RLS due to neuropathy. Gabapentin enacarbyl is the only drug in this class that is FDA approved for RLS. However, the others can be effective.

Benzodiazepines, particularly clonazepam, are sometimes prescribed for RLS but are generally reserved for more severe cases due to their addictive potential and side effects, including daytime sleepiness.

Opioids, such as methadone or oxycodone, can be used to relieve the symptoms of RLS, but due to the risk of addiction, they are generally not prescribed unless the case is plain and other medications have not been effective.

Risk factors:

RLS can develop at any age, even through childhood. The disorder is more common with age and more common in women than in men.

RLS is not usually related to a serious underlying medical problem. However, it sometimes accompanies other conditions, such as

Peripheral neuropathy: This damage to the nerves in the hands and feet is sometimes due to chronic diseases such as diabetes and alcoholism.

Lack of iron: Even deprived of anemia, iron deficiency can cause or worsen RLS. If you have a history of bleeding in the stomach or intestines, experience heavy menstrual periods, or repeatedly donate blood, you may be deficient in iron.

Renal insufficiency: If you have kidney failure, you can also be iron deficient, often with anemia. When the kidneys are not working properly, iron stores in the blood can decrease. This and other changes in body chemistry can cause or worsen RLS.

Spinal cord conditions: Spinal cord injuries as a result of damage or injury have been linked to RLS. Having had anesthesia to the spinal cord, such as a spinal block, also rises the risk of developing RLS.

Complications

Although RLS does not lead to other serious conditions, symptoms can range from mildly bothersome to disabling. Many people with RLS have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep.