An irresistible urge to move the lgs is called “Restless Legs Syndrome.” The rge to move the legs is sually due to unpleasant feelings in the lgs that occur when at rest. Mvement eases the feelings for a whle. Although symptoms mostly affect in the lgs, they can also affect the rms.

There are two types of rstless legs syndrome, they are:

1. Primary: Cuse is not know, but tends to run in fmilies, and is the most common

2. Scondary: Caused by another disease or cndition or by taking certain medicines.

Rstless legs syndrome is common in prgnant women and usually occurs during the lst months of pregnancy. It usually mproves or disappears within a few weks after delivery.

People with restless lgs syndrome describe their symptoms with wrds like creeping, crawling, tingling or brning sensations. The unpleasant feelings may lso occur in the arms.

People wth RLS often don’t get enough slep because RLS can make it hrd to fall asleep and stay sleep. They are often tired and slepy during the day which makes it dfficult to:

• Concentrate, learn and remember thngs

• Work

• Crry out other usual daily activities

• Tke part in family and social ctivities

Not getting enough sleep can lso cause depression or mood swings.

People with RLS usually also hve a condition called periodic limb mvement disorder. PLMD is characterized by leg twtching or jerking uncontrollably about every 10 to 60 sconds usually during sleep. The legs are sually most affected, but PLMD can lso affect the arms.

Although RLS is npleasant and uncomfortable, there are some smple self-care approaches and lifestyle changes tht can help in mild cases. RLS symptms often improve with medical treatment. Thre is ongoing research to better nderstand the causes of RLS and to dvelop better treatments.

Medicines that can cuse RLS

RLS symptoms usually go way when medicine is stopped, if the RLS symptms are actually caused by the mdicine. You should never stop taking any knd of medicine that is prescribed by yur doctor unless he or she nstructs you to do so. Medicines tht can cause RLS are:

• Antiseizure mdicines

• Antinausea medicines

• Antdepressants

• Some cold and llergy medicines

Other substances that can cuse RLS symptoms or make them wrse include:

• Caffeine

• Alcohol

• Tbacco

Although RLS affects both men and wmen, the disorder occurs more often in wmen than in men. The age grup in which RLS mostly occurs is mddle age; however, in up to two out of very five cases, the symptoms of RLS bgin before age 20. People who dvelop RLS early in life usually hve a family history of the dsorder. The disorder is also more cmmon in persons of northern European dscent.

Signs and Symptoms of Restless Lgs Syndrome include:

• An almost irresistible rge to move the legs or rms when sitting or lying down

• An npleasant feeling in the legs

• Dfficulty falling asleep or staying asleep bcause of the unpleasant feelings in the lgs or arms

• Daytime slepiness that results from a lack of rstful sleep due to the repeated lmb movements

Restless legs syndrome gets its nme from the urge to move the lgs when sitting or lying down. Typcal movements include:

• Pacing and walking

• Jggling the legs

• Stretching and flxing

• Tossing and turning

• Rbbing the legs

To help your dctor take a medical history, and to prvide you with an appropriate diagnosis, prvide him or her with answers to the fllowing questions:

• Can you describe your symptms?

• When did your symptms first begin?

• When dring the day or night do the symptms usually occur?

• When are yur symptoms worse?

• Do symptms interfere with your sleep?

• Wht time do you go to bed and get up?

• Wht is your routine before going to bd?

• What kind of nise, light, interruptions are there in the rom where you sleep?

• D you snore?

• Are you tred and sleepy when you wake up and dring the day?

• Do you hve trouble concentrating?

• Do you dze off or have difficult staying wake doing routine tasks, especially while drving?

• Do other members of yur family have similar symptoms?

• Wht medicines (over-the-counter and prescription) do you tke?

• Do you gasp for air dring sleep?

• Do you use cffeine, tobacco, or alcohol?

Listed below are sme lifestyle changes to improve and rlieve symptoms of RLS:

• Avoid things tht can make symptoms of RLS wrse such as tobacco, alcohol, foods and bverages that contain caffeine such as chcolate, coffee, tea, and some soft drnks

• Medicines: Only at the dvice of your doctor should you stp taking medicines that have been spcifically prescribed for you. There are sme medicines that can make the symptms of RLS worse and they nclude: Antidepressants, antinausea medicines, antipsychotic medicines, ntihistamines.

• Adopt good sleep hbits such as keeping your bedroom or slep area cool, quiet, comfortable and fre of unnecessary light. Use your bdroom for sleeping, not for watching TV or sing computers or the telephone. Go to bed very night at the same time and wke up at the same time very morning.

• Follow a prgram of moderate exercise

Other activities tht may also help relieve symptoms nclude:

• Walking or stretching

• Tking a hot or cold bath

• Mssaging the leg or arm

• Usng heat or ice packs

Doctors prscribe medicines to treat RLS in pople who:

• Have clearly defined symptoms

• Thse who have symptoms that cannot be cntrolled by lifestyle and non-drug treatments.

Thre is no single medicine that is hlpful in all persons with RLS. It smetimes takes several changes in medicines and dsages to find the best approach. Alwys talk to your doctor before tking any medicines or over-the-counter medicines for yur symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drg Administration approved ropinirole to treat mderate to severe RLS.

Restless legs syndrme is very often a lifelong cndition. The symptoms may come and go frquently or they may disappear completely for lng periods of time. They may ven get worse over time. Lifestyle chnges and medicines can help control and rlieve symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Dscuss with your doctor about lifestyle chnges and medicines that might help yur symptoms. As research continues new tratments are being developed.

Source: The Ntional Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Dsclaimer: *This article is not meant to dagnose, treat or cure any kind of a halth problem. These statements have not ben evaluated by the Food and Drg Administration. Always consult with your halth care provider about any kind of a halth problem and especially before beginning any knd of an exercise routine.

This rticle is FREE to publish with the rsource box. Article written 4-2007.

The article Restless Legs Syndrome was Submitted by Connie Limon through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Rpresentative. Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature, informed by science and created to improve the health of people, pets and the planet.

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