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RLS is a sensorimotor disorder that may cause considerable discomfort to patients in the waking hours and may have a profound impact on sleep.
It was recognised as early as the seventeenth century, it was first described by Swedish neurologist, Karl-Axel Ekbom, in 1945. The disorder is sometimes referred to as Ekbom syndrome.
In severe cases the associated sleep deficit may have a detrimental effect on daytime work, social activities and general well being. In the worst cases sleep deprivation and the inability to tolerate certain activities (such as sitting for long periods at a desk) can lead to job loss, and relationship problems. Most commonly the legs alone are affected but the upper limbs may also be involved.
A few things can causes legs to twitch or shake may not be RLS. For instance leg cramps pain in legs due to arthritis or positional discomfort may mimic RLS.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a fairly common, but often overlooked disorder, affecting both movement and sleep. A person with the condition has unpleasant sensations in their legs, and an overwhelming urge to move them. There is a product called LegCalm that is a 100% safe and effective natural remedy for treating Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement this has had rave reviews and has literally helped hundreds of people.
Who's affected?
Restless legs syndrome is thought to affect between two to 15 per cent of the population, with women being affected more often than men. It's more likely to occur as a person gets older and is most common after middle age. It can occur in children but only rarely.
The uncomfortable sensations of RLS are often triggered by inactivity, and can be improved by movement. Symptoms are usually more noticeable in the evening and, for some people, they can cause difficulty sleeping.
In mild cases of RLS, the symptoms may only occur occasionally. They may cause minimal disruption to sleep, and cause little distress. However, in more severe cases, symptoms occur more than twice a week, and sleep is severely disrupted, causing daytime tiredness.
The exact cause of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is unknown. However, evidence suggests that it is related to an imbalance of a brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a naturally occurring substance which affects movement. In the evening, dopamine levels fall, and this may explain why the symptoms of RLS are often worse in the evening and at night.
Treatment options
- take regular, daily exercise (although not near bedtime),
- Rubbing the legs
- Stop smoking , this helps with Snoring as well
- Increasing alertness and wakefulness, by doing a crossword for example
- establish a regular sleeping pattern by getting up and going to bed at the same time each day, not napping during the day, taking time to relax before going to bed, and avoiding stimulants, such as caffeine, close to bedtime, and try not to eat to late in the evening
- try to relax before going to bed, for example, by taking a warm bath or having a hot milky drink.
- Natural Medication To Help Restless Leg Syndrome
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