An Introduction To Restless Leg Syndrome Sleep Disorder

Recent television commercials and news stories have clearly demonstrated the discomfort of Restless Leg Syndrome (generally known as simply RLS) to all of us. Although of course those people who have suffered with the disorder for years know all too well the ways in which RLS can disrupt life. As it becomes more readily available people may well discover the cause of their mysterious symptoms and begin to ask questions of their physician. More importantly they will also come to see that their symptoms are real and they are far from alone.

The easiest description of how RLS affects an individual is to say that it is a disorder in which you find that you simply cannot relax. Whenever an individual either sits or lays down at night their legs begin to feel like pins and needles are sticking them or experience a creepy or crawling feeling and the need to continually move, making it more or less impossible to sleep. This alone explains why one of the chief results of RLS is insomnia.

As research has progressed it has been seen that many people with RLS also have family members who suffer from the disorder and that there is thus almost certainly a genetic element to the disorder. This genetic component is an important one when diagnosing RLS in children as they frequently do not vocalize their pain or discomfort in the same way as adults and it is frequently misdiagnosed, as muscle cramps, arthritis, stress and insomnia and attention is often focused on the child’s inattentiveness, restlessness and irritability as what is referred to as merely growing pains.

In addition, pregnant women will at times find themselves with the symptoms of RLS throughout their pregnancy with the worst symptoms of the condition appearing in the final trimester. However, because of the pregnancy, medication is not recommended except during the last two or three months of their pregnancy when the effects on the unborn child are going to be minimal.

The first concern of anyone suffering from RLS must be diagnosis because it is after diagnosis that treatment can start and relief begin.

Treatment for RLS varies widely from one individual to the next and with the severity of the restless leg symptoms being experienced. Medication is generally prescribed for severe cases with Requip and Mirapex being two of the most well known prescribed medicines. For people who do not like to take medication there are alternative treatments like acupuncture and a variety of homeopathic remedies. Also, changes in lifestyle like relaxation, exercise and using hot and cold packs are also used to relieve symptoms.

Although it might feel normal to find the best relief for your symptoms by yourself checking with a doctor first is best as RLS can occasionally be a secondary condition and result from another condition or disorder as, for example, when it arises during pregnancy. Making use of your own treatment plan could lead to additional problems and therefore not result in the relief you are seeking.

Because each of us is unique so too are the symptoms we experience and an understanding of this is vital when it comes to treatment. It is only with a sound understanding of this disorder that appropriate restless leg syndrome treatment can begin and the leg pain which accompanies RLS will be a memory.

Are you experiencing painful legs when trying to sleep? If so you could well be suffering from restless leg sydrome and so now might be a very good time to learn more about the symptoms of this condition and restless leg treatment.