What is Restless Legs Sydrome (RLS) and How is it Treated?

Every single night, I toss and turn. I shake my legs, I kick my legs. I get up, I woke around, and I lay back down. Then, I get up, jog in place and get back in bed. My legs will not let me sleep. My brain and my body are tired but my legs could run a marathon.

It is a creepy crawly feeling in my legs that I cannot really describe to someone who has never had Restless Leg Syndrome. When I try to relax, my legs make me want to move them, which prevent me from sleeping. It is not until I am completely exhausted from the small gymnastics act I do that I am able to fall asleep.

Researchers are still not sure exactly the cause of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) but it does seem to run in families, become worse in pregnancy, people who have iron deficiencies, kidney failure, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and Parkinson's Disease. Researchers suspect but have not proved that Restless Legs Syndrome may have something to do with how your body absorbs iron and dopamine in the brain.

Many people describe RLS as having pins and needles all throughout their legs or feeling a crawling sensation that makes them move their legs. Movement will temporary relieve the feeling but it will most likely come back when the suffer tries to lie down again.

People with RLS can have involuntary movements at night while they sleep. This results in disturbed and unsatisfying sleep. Those who suffer with RLS tend to feel groggy or not refreshed when they awake.

RLS is diagnosed by having an evaluation done at your physician's office. Your physician will probably do some blood work as well to rule out any other medical condition that may be causing the RLS symptoms. Some suffers may be asked to take part in a sleep study called, polysomnography which records how many involuntary movements the RLS patient has during sleep and how much it interferes with sleeping patterns.

The treatment of RLS can range from simply exercising and avoiding caffeine to taking medication such as Requip. Whether you will need medication will depend on how severe your RLS symptoms are and how often you experience the symptoms. Some suffers are unable to take any medications due to a medical condition or being pregnant.

Speak to your doctor about your symptoms so that you can get help for your RLS. RLS can be frustrating and stressful when you do not get the sleep you need. If you would like more information or support, visit Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.

Source: http://health.yahoo.com/topic/sleep/overview/article/healthwise/ue4939