Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological movement disorder that occurs at any age, even in childhood but is generally an aging related issue (Feuz). People with RLS normally feel uncomfortable sensations, more so when sitting or lying down and have to move about for relief. RLS not only causes discomfort but also can affect sleep causing mood changes and daytime sleepiness (Harvard Medical School). Although RLS has been around for years, the lack of awareness seems to be severely limited to the diagnosis for the condition (Rados). In most cases, doctors do not know the cause of RLS therefore there is not a specific medical test to diagnose RLS but doctors use blood tests and …show more content…
RLS tends to run in families and people with a genetic link seem to get RLS earlier in life. Many RLS patients also develop sleep problems and do not link the sensations in their legs to their sleep problems. RLS is a form of sleep disorder that includes periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), a condition where involuntary motor movements of the limbs occur during the sleep cycle and lead to a shift in sleep stage and repeated awakenings (Patrick). There is not a specific lab test or imaging study to prove one has RLS but doctors can try to identify underlying medical issues that can cause RLS. A person may have blood drawn to check for low iron levels and anemia as well as nerve studies. Along with genetic links, pregnancy is a cause, since some women develop symptoms during the last trimester and usually disappears after delivery …show more content…
People whose symptoms are more sporadic may be prescribed medication to use only when symptoms appear. In Mary of 2005, the Food & Drug Administration approved the first drug treatment for RLS for which the cause is unknown; called Requip (ropinirole), the drug is specifically labeled for the treatment of moderate-to-severe symptoms of the condition and can control RLS by minimizing the symptoms and increasing periods of restful sleep (Rados). There are many widely prescribed medications to treat RLS but a person must consult their personal doctor for the best treatment plan that individual. Dopamine agonists such as Mirapex & Neupro along with Requip are often the first medications used to treat RLS. Dopamine agonists act like the neurotransmitter in the brain and side effects include daytime sleepiness, nausea and lightheadedness. Dopaminergic agents such as Sinemet increase the level of dopamine in the brain and depending on the person can either improve or worsen the symptoms of RLS. Side effects of Dopaminergic agents can include nausea, vomiting, hallucinations and involuntary movements. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin and Restoril are sedatives and do not relieve symptoms as much as help you sleep through them. Alpha 2 agonists such as Catapres, stimulate Alpha 2 receptors in the brain stem and activates neurons that "turn down" the part of the nervous
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological movement disorder that occurs at any age, even in childhood but is generally an aging related issue (Feuz). People with RLS normally feel uncomfortable sensations, more so when sitting or lying down and have to move about for relief. RLS not only causes discomfort but also can affect sleep causing mood changes and daytime sleepiness (Harvard Medical School). Although RLS has been around for years, the lack of awareness seems to be severely limited to the diagnosis for the condition (Rados). In most cases, doctors do not know the cause of RLS therefore there is not a specific medical test to diagnose RLS but doctors use blood tests and …show more content…
RLS tends to run in families and people with a genetic link seem to get RLS earlier in life. Many RLS patients also develop sleep problems and do not link the sensations in their legs to their sleep problems. RLS is a form of sleep disorder that includes periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), a condition where involuntary motor movements of the limbs occur during the sleep cycle and lead to a shift in sleep stage and repeated awakenings (Patrick). There is not a specific lab test or imaging study to prove one has RLS but doctors can try to identify underlying medical issues that can cause RLS. A person may have blood drawn to check for low iron levels and anemia as well as nerve studies. Along with genetic links, pregnancy is a cause, since some women develop symptoms during the last trimester and usually disappears after delivery …show more content…
People whose symptoms are more sporadic may be prescribed medication to use only when symptoms appear. In Mary of 2005, the Food & Drug Administration approved the first drug treatment for RLS for which the cause is unknown; called Requip (ropinirole), the drug is specifically labeled for the treatment of moderate-to-severe symptoms of the condition and can control RLS by minimizing the symptoms and increasing periods of restful sleep (Rados). There are many widely prescribed medications to treat RLS but a person must consult their personal doctor for the best treatment plan that individual. Dopamine agonists such as Mirapex & Neupro along with Requip are often the first medications used to treat RLS. Dopamine agonists act like the neurotransmitter in the brain and side effects include daytime sleepiness, nausea and lightheadedness. Dopaminergic agents such as Sinemet increase the level of dopamine in the brain and depending on the person can either improve or worsen the symptoms of RLS. Side effects of Dopaminergic agents can include nausea, vomiting, hallucinations and involuntary movements. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Klonopin and Restoril are sedatives and do not relieve symptoms as much as help you sleep through them. Alpha 2 agonists such as Catapres, stimulate Alpha 2 receptors in the brain stem and activates neurons that "turn down" the part of the nervous