Top 7 Blog posts--Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (also called Willis Ekbom Disease) affects up to 10 percent of Americans.  Restless legs explains the symptoms: the urge that you must move your legs.  Some people feel discomfort or a creepy crawly sensation and tension in the legs which requires movement in an effort to make the feelings go away. People with restless legs suffer from sleep disturbances.  As they experience leg twitches or jerking movements every 10 to 40 seconds all night long, their sleep is disrupted, leaving them tired and feeling cranky.
Restless legs syndrome affect both men and women, but women twice as often.  The experts aren’t sure what causes this neurological syndrome.  People who deal with restless legs often have chronic diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, neuropathy, tremors and multiple sclerosis.  Is this coincidence or do the chronic illnesses contribute to restless legs?  No one knows.  They believe there is an inherited tendency and have identified six genes which are risk factors.  Restless legs can begin at any age and may worsen as a person ages.  Iron deficiency anemia can be one treatable cause of restless legs syndrome. 

Diagnosis can be difficult; if a person is anemic (iron deficient), a blood test will show that result which can be treated.  There aren’t any specific tests to diagnose.  Blood tests to check for anemia and vitamin deficiencies may be done.  The doctor may include a physical exam, a neurological exam, a sleep study and review of a person’s medical and family history in an effort to diagnose restless legs syndrome. 

Treatment of RLS involves medicines. Four drugs have been FDA-approved for treatment of Restless legs syndrome. 

More information about Restless legs syndrome can be found at http://www.uthealthleader.org/index/article.htm?id=f7870898-781e-4b14-afa5-389a2240832c

Willis Ekbom Disease Foundation at http://www.rls.org/quality-care-program
The John Hopkins Medicine website gives information at http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/specialty_areas/restless-legs-syndrome/what-is-rls/index.html