Everything You Need to Know About Sleepless Legs Syndrome
Sleepless legs syndrome, otherwise known as shaking leg syndrome, restless leg syndrome or RLS, is a common condition that is often misdiagnosed. People of all ages can suffer from it, even children (in children it is often wrongly referred to as growing pains).
What are the symptoms of sleepless legs?
Sleepless leg syndrome is normally characterized by painful, uncomfortable, strange sensations in the legs, normally in bed at night (although many people also suffer from these symptoms during the day). You may have RLS if you suffer from itching, cramping, burning or crawling sensations up and down your legs, alongside an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. Naturally, this disrupts sleeping patterns; you may find you are feeling sleep-deprived, anxious or even depressed as a result of your RLS.
In most cases the cause of RLS is unknown. You may be able to link your RLS to a poor diet, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, iron deficiency, anemia, a nerve disorder, certain prescribed or over the counter medicines, or another health issue such as diabetes, kidney failure or polyneuropathy. Your RLS may be genetic; it is common for it to run in families.
You may have found that your doctor is reluctant to diagnose RLS. In fact, some medical professionals still do not recognize it as a legitimate condition. This may be due to the fact that many other conditions share symptoms with sleepless legs syndrome, for example Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, muscle diseases, joint conditions, nerve problems and circulation difficulties. However, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke suggests that four criteria should be satisfied in order to make a diagnosis of RLS:
- A strong urge to move your legs, in order to relieve an unpleasant sensation. If you have an extreme case of RLS, you may also have a strong urge to move your arms.
- Symptoms that are triggered, or get worse, when you are inactive. As soon as you sit still or lie down, you feel a greater urge to move.
- You find relief (albeit minor or temporary) from moving, such as walking, stretching or shaking your legs.
- Your symptoms are stronger in the evening or during the night.
When looking at possible treatments for RLS, you should first of all eliminate any other health issues that may be responsible for the symptoms. For example, you may take a blood test to rule out iron deficiency. In addition, you should cut out caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and high sugar foods from your diet, reduce the amount of stress in your life through yoga, meditation or therapy, and take regular, moderate exercise.
Before you turn to prescribed medication for your restless leg syndrome, you may want to try some natural remedies. Some alternative treatments for the problem are acupuncture, warm baths, temperature changes, gentle stretching exercises and homeopathic remedies. Seek the advice of an experienced homeopath to make sure you are taking the remedy in the correct dose.
The Effects of Sleepless Leg Syndrome
If you are feeling lethargic, anxious or depressed, this could be a direct result of your RLS. Your symptoms are disrupting your sleeping pattern and stopping you from getting the quality or quantity of sleep necessary to function at your best during the day. This may lead to increased feelings of anxiousness, as you find yourself growing increasingly nervous every evening, worrying about the night ahead and how extreme your RLS will be. This becomes a vicious circle or exhaustion and anxiety.
The good news is that there are many possible remedies for RLS. The worst thing you can do is ignore the problem and hope it will go away on its own. It is time to take control and take the steps necessary to get rid of your restless legs once and for all. Try some of the natural remedies listed above. Do lots of research about the condition; you will soon see that you are not alone (NINDS estimates that as many as 10 percent of the US population may have restless leg syndrome). If the natural treatments do not work, don't give up! Make an appointment with a qualified health professional and voice your concerns. Ask them for advice and guidance, and if you are not happy with it, seek a second opinion.
Sleepless legs syndrome is a potentially serious, debilitating condition that is still largely unheard of across the world. By talking about your own experience, you can help to raise awareness and give support to fellow sufferers.
The information contained here should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and in no way should be considered as an offering of medical advice.
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