Restless Leg Syndrome
Posted by Health articles on June 28th, 2009
Definition
Restless leg syndrome is a condition where patient experience unpleasant feelings affecting mainly the legs (rarely arms). This feeling usually occurs at rest and often there is a strong desire to move the affected limb. Movement of limb will result in temporary relief of the unpleasant feelings.
This unpleasant sensation may range from crawling sensation, or tooth like feeling or like water running down the leg to jumpy or twitchy legs. The symptoms are usually occurs in the evening and for some, it may affect their sleep.
Even though this condition is recognized in 17th century, it was first fully described by a Doctor called Karl Ekbom in 1945. Hence this condition is sometimes called as Ekbom’s syndrome.
Incidence
Around 3% of the adult population are known to suffer from restless leg syndrome, although actual percentage might be higher as many people might be suffering from this condition without proper diagnosis. One study estimated that at least one in ten people may suffer from this condition at some point in their life. Even though the onset of this problem occurs before the age of 20, in around 40% of cases the symptoms are more pronounced in middle age. Some believe that a part of the so called growing pain in children might be due to this condition.
Women are more likely to have this condition compared to men. Symptoms are often worse in the evening and at night.
Restless Leg Syndrome Causes
The exact reason for restless leg syndrome is unknown. Human brain contains a chemical called dopamine which affects the movement of the human body. Research so far suggests the restless leg syndrome might be related to an imbalance of this dopamine.
Types
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) can be divided in to two types
Primary
Here there is no actual cause found. It most commonly starts in early adult age. Most of them suffer from very mild symptoms. But the symptom may become more frequent and sever after 50 years of age. Interestingly, in people who developed this condition before the age of 45, around half of the immediate family members also suffer from this condition. Research has identified the area of chromosomes where genes for RLS may be present.
Secondary
Here, RLS occurs secondary to an existing condition or due to some medications. Most common conditions associated with this type are – pregnancy, chronic alcoholism, kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, polyneuropathy (condition affecting multiple nerves of the body) and iron deficiency anaemia. Some of the medications that are prescribed for blood pressure, depression and for sleeping are found to have an association with RLS.