While there are various treatments for restless legs syndrome there is no cure for it. The treatments help to reduce the severity of the symptoms and give the individual the ability to relax and to help distract from the uncomfortable sensations associated with the condition.
The doctor who is treating the individual with restless legs syndrome will design a treatment plan that is based on the age of the patient, the abilities of the patient to participate in various treatments and the severity of the symptoms. The treatment plan will typically include lifestyle suggestions, relaxation techniques, medications and supplements, physical therapy, and self-help methods.
Physicians diagnosis Restless legs Syndrome by conducting a detailed patient medical and symptom history, by doing a thorough medical and neurological examination and by using an assessment scale that helps to diagnosis and grade the severity of the condition.
The physician will be looking for the following indicator of the condition:
An intense desire to move limbs at rest
Extreme motor restlessness
A definitive worsening of symptoms when lying down or when sitting that are at least in part reduced by activity.
Symptoms become worse in the evening hours and overnight.
The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.
The usual treatment (conventional) for Restless legs syndrome (RLS) includes lifestyle improvements, self-help techniques and relaxation techniques. When these are not enough to relieve the symptoms of RLS then medications are often the next step.
The first class of medications that doctor's treating RLS turn to is the Primary Class of RLS medications.
This primary class includes:
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition that leaves your legs with the urge to move. There are 4 criteria that you must meet in order to be diagnosed with restless leg syndrome. The four criteria are:
You experience strong urges to move your legs that you are unable to resist. You feel uncomfortable sensations in your legs that accompany the urges to move your legs. These sensations feel like creepy-crawly, a tugging or gnawing feeling in your legs.
The symptoms either start or become worse when you are resting your legs. The longer your legs are at rest the more severe the symptoms get.
Sleepless nights, insomnia, fatigue, discomfort these are just the beginning of the symptoms known to Restless Leg Syndrome. While doctors are often the best course of action when lifestyle changes do not offer relief, others will look to natural ways to relieve their symptoms. Prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter brands can cause side-effects often more uncomfortable than the original symptoms, tend to be addictive and/or in rare occasions can complicate or add to current health issues. With this information it is no wonder many will seek other forms of relief.
The individual with restless legs syndrome is plagued by uncomfortable sensations in the limbs and sometimes the trunk of the body. These symptoms worsen during the evening or at night while the person is trying to sleep. This individual often suffers from insomnia because of the condition and often times are unable to function at work or school because of lack of sleep.
There may be other conditions that are associated with the occurrence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) such as pregnancy, diabetes, and obesity, being a smoker, having an iron deficiency or anemia. Those with nerve disease, polyneuropathy, or suffer from metal toxicity and other toxins or have kidney failure may also suffer from RLS symptoms.
Did you know that there is no cure for restless legs syndrome and that there is no known cause yet? What is known is that the condition has been associated with other underlying conditions such as pregnancy, obesity, smoking, having an iron deficiency and also anemia. It can also be associated with individuals who have nerve disease, polyneuropathy, having a heavy metal toxicity or other toxins in your body, having a hormonal disease such as diabetes, or kidney failure when it is associated with a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Certain medications can increase the severity of symptoms for RLS including the taking of caffeinated products and drinking alcohol. H2-histamine blockers such as the medication Zantac and Tagamet as well as taking antidepressants such as Elavil can contribute to the severity of symptoms of RLS.
Chinese medicine sees disorder such Restless Leg Syndrome as a pattern of symptoms and is common in traditional Chinese medicines. The belief is that the excessive movement of the legs is directly related to internal conditions, such as live blood deficiency. It is believed that because the symptoms occur mostly at night and interferes with sleep, the "weiqi" that circulates in the body does not return completely to the interior of the body at night – what is thought to be caused by a fluid deficiency.
Increased cardiovascular disease, when talked about in reference to restless leg syndrome, has been seen to be a common factor among the elderly in particular. A Canadian study monitored 10 patients with RLS and/or Periodic Leg Movement (PLM) that were until then untreated for their symptoms. Each person spent the night in a sleep laboratory where their blood pressure was monitored for any changes that may occur. Before being added to the study, is was noted that none of the volunteers suffered any type of heart disease, hypertension or taking blood pressure medications. It is reported that during RLS, blood pressures were seen to raise an average of 20 point for systolic readings and 11 points for diastolic readings. Focus is now being put on the effects of RLS, as other sleep disorders shown similar results – leading to a theory that sleeplessness plays a major role in how our body works, particularly the heart.
While there are various treatments for restless legs syndrome there is no cure for it. The treatments help to reduce the severity of the symptoms and give the individual the ability to relax and to help distract from the uncomfortable sensations associated with the condition.
The doctor who is treating the individual with restless legs syndrome will design a treatment plan that is based on the age of the patient, the abilities of the patient to participate in various treatments and the severity of the symptoms. The treatment plan will typically include lifestyle suggestions, relaxation techniques, medications and supplements, physical therapy, and self-help methods.
When studies were done on the causes and treatments of restless leg syndrome, the result was the disorder is more prevalent in the elderly. A study at the Department of Geriatrics in England ran a test involving 36 patients diagnosed with RLS symptoms.
It has only been recently that we, as a public, have become aware of the disorder called Restless Leg Syndrome. Though RLS was first listed in medical books in 1945, it has been around for centuries and its cause is still a mystery.
Traditional Chinese medicine looks at disorders, such as Restless Leg Syndrome, through the pattern of symptoms. According to Chinese medicine, the excessive movement in persons legs are seen as an "internal wind," a condition that is related to a liver blood deficiency. In the traditional Chinese system, the strange sensations experienced by those with RLS, may correspond to the "numbness" pattern due to this blood deficiency.
For centuries, acupuncture has been a well known practice, today it is used often for relief of arthritis and related symptoms such as Restless Leg Syndrome. Within the realm of acupuncture, RLS is seen as a disorder related to the spleen. As a traditional Chinese medical technique practiced as a way to keep a person's Chi in continuous movement. It is believed that all energy, or Chi, travels through the body on specific pathways. In acupuncture, special needles are used to stimulate the body's energy to once again together the yin and yang, considered to be the balance that is needed for a healthy system. Acupuncture then is used when a person is ill, or in Chinese medicine the Chi is obstructed.
So what is RLS really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about RLS–info you can use, not just the rumors and guesses.
It is estimated that as many as 12 million Americans may be effected by restless leg syndrome (RLS). These figures could be on the low side as many with the condition may go undiagnosed, especially when the symptoms are mild.
An alternative to using prescription medications for relief of Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms is to use Homeopathic remedies. In general Homeopathic remedies come from two ideas. First is that a substance, when prepared correctly, can activate the body's own curing power to overcome certain symptoms. Also, Potentization of a substance, where it goes through several precise dilutions and succussions – which bring an energetic change in turn, is rendering the substance more powerful, while eliminating all chemical toxicity that would be found in the substance without the processing.
Restless Leg Syndrome, though not completely well know, actually has many therapies available to aid is relieving symptoms and offer sufferers comfort when trying to relax.
There are many different theories, remedies, medications and beliefs as to what works when it comes to finding relief for RLS symptoms.
Treatment for restless leg syndrome is the focus for many when they visit the doctor; however, studies have shown the possibility of increased cardiovascular disease in the patients with RLS, especially among the elderly. In a study performed in Canada, they monitored 10 people RLS or Periodic Leg Movement (PLM) who had yet to seek treatment for their particular symptoms. In the study, they were required to spend the night in a sleep laboratory in order for their blood pressure to be monitored and chart any significant changes. A requirement to be part of the study was that none of those who agreed to be part of the study currently had a heart disease, hypertension or took medications for blood pressure.
Restless Leg Syndrome, though only in the public view through commercials, was first written about in medical books in the mid-1940's, though it is believed to have been around for centuries with it's causes still not completely understood.
Do you ever feel like you know just enough about RLS to be dangerous? Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info about restless legs syndrome (RLS).
If you suspect that you may have restless legs syndrome, the biggest question on your mind is, "Do I have Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?" One way to find out if you need to explore further in order to find out the answer to this question is to ask yourself the following questions:
Do you frequently feel strong urges to move your legs or arms and you cannot ignore these uncomfortable urges?
