Treating Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) in Cranberry, PA.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a medical condition marked by an intense urge to suddenly and rapidly move the lower extremities. Patients often describe this urge as involuntary, irresistible, or both, and can involve considerable discomfort. The motion itself is a more of a spastic, jerky twitch than a fluid movement.
While RLS is certainly bothersome it’s particularly insidious because symptoms appear most often at night. This can wreak havoc on a patient’s sleep schedule and reduce both overall sleep quality and number of hours rested.
Symptoms also tend to be chronic, often resulting in months, years, or even decades of sleep disturbance. The consequences of this can be far reaching and severe, and can affect virtually every organ system in the body. There is, for instance, a well-established connection between insomnia and heart disease. Secondary psychological conditions such as depression are also frequently reported.
It is recommended that you make an appoint for a vein specialist if you are concerned with venous insufficiency. He or she will start with a complete personal medical history, documenting details about your symptoms. Later, a physical examination will be completed. Since the symptoms of venous insufficiency can look like other medical conditions, he or she will likely order some diagnostic tests. These tests may include:
Duplex ultrasound – In this test, targeted sound waves are employed to assess the quantity of blood flowing and to map the veins in your legs
Venogram – In this imaging test, intravenous contrast dye is injected into your system. Then X-rays are taken to produce an image of your blood flow and a view of your veins.
Symptoms Of Restlessness Leg Syndrome
Many people think that symptoms of RLS appear when they are sleeping but it’s not the truth.
Symptoms of RLS arise when your legs haven’t been active for sometime, for example if you sit fir too long at office, cinema or any other place then irritation may start in your legs.
However, it’s also true that the symptoms of RLS appear more at night.
And when you sleep they are really worse since while sleeping your legs aren’t active at all.
Those who suffer from RLS experience this kind of disturbance while sleeping:
- Crawling
- Creeping
- Itching
- Tugging
- Tingling
- Burning
- Aching
Restless Leg Syndrome Cause
It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of RLS in every patient. Lower extremity vein disease, however, is acknowledged by the medical community as being a leading risk factor. In a way this is fortunate, as most chronic reflux can be easily treated using RF ablation. Once the underlying cause or causes have been addressed the condition usually improves greatly. In many cases symptoms disappear completely, effectively curing Restless Leg Syndrome.
How is Venous Insufficiency diagnosed?
It is recommended that you make an appoint for a vein specialist if you are concerned with venous insufficiency. He or she will start with a complete personal medical history, documenting details about your symptoms. Later, a physical examination will be completed. Since the symptoms of venous insufficiency can look like other medical conditions, he or she will likely order some diagnostic tests. These tests may include:
Duplex ultrasound – In this test, targeted sound waves are employed to assess the quantity of blood flowing and to map the veins in your legs
Venogram – In this imaging test, intravenous contrast dye is injected into your system. Then X-rays are taken to produce an image of your blood flow and a view of your veins.
Does Home Remedies Work For RLS?
They may not be able to treated RLS completely but they can help you reduce symptoms and provide you a better sleep, here are some of the most useful home remedies for RLS:
- Warm Baths Before Bed
If you take warm baths before going to bed then your muscles will get chance to relax and help you reduce symptoms of RLS.
Make sure the water you use isn’t too cold or too, warm is enough to relax your muscles.
- Exercises
RLS can appear when your blood doesn’t have a healthy circulation since in some cases poor blood circulation is also a result of restless legs.
You can decrease the symptoms and improve your blood circulation by doing daily exercises like walking and swimming, they are the most used exercise to improve blood circulation!
Lastly, don’t overdo these exercises or you may experience some side effects.
- Maintain A Healthy Schedule
A healthy sleep schedule is really important for people suffering from RLS. Your schedule should include:
- Waking and sleeping at the same time every single day, on weekends
- Avoid using screen devices at least 1 hour before bed time
- Eating light food before bed
- Avoiding coffee before before bed time
What Are Different Types Of RLS?
There are two primary (idiopathic) and secondary kinds of RLS.
A family history of RLS and the absence of any other diseases are related with primary RLS. An autosomal chromosome causes the illness, which is inherited in around 50% of cases by one parent only. Now, a particular genetic link has been discovered, establishing RLS as a real syndrome.
A specific medical condition, such as pregnancy, iron insufficiency, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), might cause secondary RLS. Cardiovascular illness, neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, fibromyalgia, folate and magnesium deficiencies, stress, and unfavorable drug reactions are additional disorders that have been linked to RLS.
Before to making an accurate diagnosis of RLS, these problems must be treated. RLS secondary symptoms frequently progress quickly.
Does RLS Have A Known Cause?
The cause of RLS is the subject of much global research. We still haven’t found a single, common cause, but we’re getting there. What is known is as follows:
- RLS frequently occurs in families. RLS referred to as main or familial. The gene or genes responsible for the disease are presently the focus of research.
- On occasion, RLS seems to be a symptom of another disorder, which, when present, exacerbates the underlying RLS. We refer to this as secondary RLS.
- Up to 25% of pregnant women get the condition, but symptoms frequently go away after giving birth.
A worsening of symptoms is frequently caused by anemia and low ferritin levels.
Those who need dialysis for end-stage renal illness frequently get RLS.
- Peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage in the hands or feet, can result from a variety of conditions, including diabetes, and is a factor in RLS.
How does weight or body mass index (BMI) affect restless legs syndrome?
Weight and body mass index (BMI) can have an impact on restless legs syndrome (RLS) in several ways:
- Increased risk: Higher BMI has been associated with an increased risk of developing RLS. Excess weight may contribute to inflammation and metabolic changes that can affect nerve function and increase the likelihood of RLS.
- Symptom severity: Studies have suggested that individuals with higher BMI may experience more severe RLS symptoms. Excess weight can lead to reduced circulation and increased pressure on nerves, potentially exacerbating RLS symptoms.
- Treatment response: Some research indicates that individuals with higher BMI may have a reduced response to certain treatments for RLS, such as dopamine agonists. This may be due to differences in how the body processes medications or other factors related to obesity.
- Impact on sleep: Obesity is often associated with sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea, which can worsen RLS symptoms. Poor sleep quality can also contribute to the severity of RLS symptoms.
What role does dopamine play in restless legs syndrome?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the regulation of movement, mood, and pleasure. In restless legs syndrome (RLS), dopamine dysfunction is believed to be a key factor contributing to the development and severity of symptoms. Here’s how dopamine is involved in RLS:
- Regulation of movement: Dopamine is involved in the regulation of voluntary movements, including those of the legs. Dysfunction in the dopamine system can lead to abnormalities in movement control, contributing to the characteristic urge to move the legs experienced in RLS.
- Iron metabolism: Dopamine synthesis is dependent on iron, and iron deficiency is a common feature of RLS. Iron is a cofactor for enzymes involved in dopamine synthesis, and low iron levels can lead to reduced dopamine production in the brain, contributing to RLS symptoms.
Are RLS symptoms able to manifest in other body parts?
Indeed, RLS can cause problems with the limbs, trunk, or even the face.