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Interesting Facts About RLS

There is currently extensive research being conducted worldwide concerning restless leg syndrome (RLS). To date, there has not been any single identifiable cause for restless leg syndrome. Researchers and scientists continue to observe patients, take surveys and gather information that may lead to more definitive information. To date there have been some interesting facts about RLS uncovered from those who suffer from the condition.

There are some things that are known about RLS and one observation is that it does tend to run in families. There may be cases where there is another medical condition for which RLS is a result of that condition. 25% of women develop RLS during pregnancy and then symptoms disappear after they give birth to the baby. It appears that low iron levels will contribute to and make the symptoms of RLS worse. It is common to see patients who are in the end-stage of renal disease to have RLS. It seems that when there is damage to the nerves of the hands or feet as in peripheral neuropathy that this condition can contribute to RLS. It is common for children and adults who have attention deficit disorder (ADD) to also suffer from RLS.

Preliminary surveys seem to suggest that it may be as high as 15% of respondents who have symptoms of RLS. More studies have to be done before any accurate conclusions can be stated though.

Individuals have experienced temporary RLS symptoms when taking certain medications like those for cardiac disease, or high blood pressure. Other individuals have noted that their symptoms worsen when they consume caffeine, smoke tobacco or drink alcohol.

It is suggested that changing lifestyles to include healthier habits such as establishing a relaxing bedtime routine, learning relaxation techniques for when it is necessary to sit for long lengths of time, and also getting moderate exercise daily. If lifestyle changes do not show marked improvements there are medications that can be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms.

The common medications prescribed for RLS include anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines which are central nervous system depressants, dopaminergics, and opioids. Ropinirole became the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2005, specifically for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of RLS.

Some physicians treating RLS patients have suggested that they take supplements such as iron, folate, and magnesium in the hope that assuring adequate amounts of these supplements may relieve some of the symptoms of RLS.

Restless leg syndrome is unfortunately, usually a lifelong condition. There are incidents of temporary RLS like from use of certain medications and when those meds were stopped, the symptoms of RLS abated. Pregnancy may also give the woman temporary RLS symptoms especially late in pregnancy and again, these symptoms disappear soon after the baby is born. Other than with pregnancy or the case of taking medications, RLS symptoms continue over a lifetime.

Therapies can control, even decrease the symptoms and patients seem to go through periods of remissions where symptoms will decrease drastically or even disappear for days, weeks or even as long as months before reappearing.