What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

In most people, diseases or health problems are associated with pain. Pain is perceived as suffering or a sign that something is working wrong in our body. The swelling and burning sensation with foot fatigue, stomach ulcer, migraine are all disorders that are the cause of pain, to eliminate or alleviate, medicinal preparations have been invented.

In the syndrome of restless legs, on the contrary, there is no pain. It's about suffering without pain. The fact is that people who have restless legs syndrome, almost never complain of pain in the lower extremities. Rather, they tell that they have unpleasant sensations in their legs, a kind of restlessness, but not painful, but something that makes them nervously and impatiently move their lower limbs in an attempt to alleviate these feelings.

It is very difficult to establish how widespread this syndrome is. The most optimistic statistical calculations indicate that only about 5% of the population suffers from this problem. Less encouraging evidence suggests that this figure is actually 20%. Experts agree on the age of people with restless legs syndrome. Despite the fact that it occurs in different age categories, most often still occurs in the 50-60 years.

The cause of Restless Leg Syndrome is not yet established. There is an assumption that it is possible that this is a hereditary problem or it can be caused by a violation in the circulatory system, peripheral nerve disease, anemia ... In general, there are a large number of hypotheses that still remain so. And this uncertainty of the cause of the disease is the reason why it is not possible to find a universal method of treatment. At this point, the therapeutic tools are personalized, that is, the specialist evaluates each case separately and applies various therapies until one of them is effective.

The main symptoms of restless legs syndrome

Despite the fact that the only person who is able to tell if you suffer from restless legs syndrome or not is a doctor, there are a number of symptoms that can help determine it yourself. If you notice in yourself even some of the symptoms described below, then consult a doctor.

Summer is the time of Restless Leg Syndrome.

During the hottest months of the year, people with restless leg syndrome complain that the symptoms are aggravated. Representatives of science put forward a hypothesis, which is that the reason for this can be a strong sweating. It is strange that in winter people who spend the whole day in heavily heated rooms, doing sports, visiting the sauna, etc., the condition does not deteriorate. So the relationship of summer with the exacerbation of symptoms of restless legs syndrome, despite the fact that it seems obvious, remains a mystery for doctors.

Who suffers restless legs syndrome

We have already noted that some studies indicate a high prevalence of this syndrome among people 50-60 years of age. Thus, unpleasant symptoms grow with age, despite the fact that they can subside for a while and after months or years again appear. Although the causes of this syndrome are not adopted, statistics show that a third of cases occur due to family predisposition, but the mechanism of genetic transmission is unknown. If your parents or grandparents suffer from restless legs syndrome, there is a chance that it will appear in you.

Other factors that aggravate the restless leg syndrome are fatigue, stress, depression. It was found that the condition worsens when a person experiences a depressive period. Thus, depression, which develops due to restless leg syndrome or other causes, provokes an exacerbation of symptoms.

Can children suffer from restless legs syndrome?

During a period of severe stress, both children and adults can try to get rid of nervousness with the help of impatient repetitive movements of the legs or hands. As for children, very often in the summer they lie down face down and constantly jerk their feet. As soon as the child falls asleep, these movements stop. Sometimes children experience the same symptoms as those suffering from restless legs syndrome. In the absence of an opportunity to draw a definite conclusion, we can only assume that children can also suffer from a symptom of restless legs.

Night Syndrome

People with restless legs syndrome are well aware that it often manifests itself at night. During the first phases of sleep, the symptoms increase, preventing normal rest. Thus, it is not strange that people get up in the morning sleepy. Most curious: they do not remember the impatient movements, which are usually expressed in the bending of the knees and fingers.

Restless legs syndrome and hyperactivity

Disorder due to lack of attention with hyperactivity is a problem that is very common in children, and also in about 4% of the adult population. In general, people with restless legs syndrome have typical anxiety symptoms, it is very difficult for them to be disciplined in their studies and work, and also maintain deep personal relationships. They often feel disappointed and depressed, because they never achieve their goals. A study conducted at the Institute of Neurology of the Medical Center of New Jersey (United States) found that 39% of people with restless legs syndrome also suffer from hyperactivity.

Pregnancy and Restless Leg Syndrome

In pregnant women, restless legs syndrome is more common than in the rest of the population. It is estimated that 19% of pregnant women suffer from this disorder. If you are expecting a child, then in order to alleviate the symptoms, take the lateral horizontal position, that is, lie on your side. Thus, you will improve the blood circulation, which, most likely, is the reason that pregnant women experience attacks of impatient sensations in the legs.

Be healthy!