Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment in Fort Worth, TX

As the name implies, the chief symptom is an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. These are other accompanying characteristics of restless leg syndrome:

• Sensations that begin after rest — These sensations typically arise after you’ve been lying down or sitting for an extended period, such as in a car, airplane, or movie theater.

• Relief with moving — Once you move, the sensations of restless leg syndrome lessen. Movements would include stretching, jiggling your legs, pacing, or walking.

• Symptoms worsen at night — Symptoms occurs mainly at night.

• Nighttime leg twitching — In some patients, restless leg syndrome is associated with another more common condition called periodic leg movement of sleep, which causes your legs to twitch and kick, possibly throughout the night, while you sleep.

Patients with restless leg syndrome usually describe their symptoms as unpleasant sensations in their legs or feet. They usually occur on both sides of the body, and they are less common in the arms. These are common descriptions of these sensations:

• Crawling
• Creeping
• Pulling
• Throbbing
• Aching
• Itching
• Electric

There is not a known cause for restless leg syndrome. Research points to a possible imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, which sends messages to control muscle movement.

These are other potential causes:

• Heredity — Restless leg syndrome can run in families, especially if the condition begins before the age of 40. Research has identified sites on the chromosomes where genes for the syndrome may be present.

• Pregnancy — Pregnancy and its hormonal changes can temporarily worsen restless leg syndrome. Some women get the condition for the first time during pregnancy. It usually passes after delivery.

• Venous insufficiency — Studies have shown that almost a quarter of people suffering from restless leg syndrome also have venous insufficiency.

While anyone at any age can develop restless leg syndrome, the disorder is more common with increasing age, and it is more common in women than men. While restless leg syndrome isn’t usually related to a serious underlying medical condition, it can accompany certain conditions, such as:

• Peripheral neuropathy — This is damage to the nerves in a person’s hands and feet due to chronic diseases such as diabetes.

• Iron deficiency — Iron deficiency can cause or worsen symptoms of restless leg syndrome.

• Kidney failure — Kidney failure also often causes iron deficiency, which can cause restless leg syndrome.

• Spinal cord conditions — Lesions on the spinal cord because of damage or injury have been linked to restless leg syndrome. Also, if you’ve had anesthesia such as a spinal block, this increases your risk.

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder. It is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease.

Restless leg syndrome is a lifelong condition. Symptoms can be controlled and managed with various treatments. These often are a combination of medication and home treatments such as using a heating pad when symptoms arise. There is a certain amount of trial and error involved, as patients try different strategies to lessen their symptoms.

However, as mentioned above, in patients whose restless leg syndrome is linked to venous disease, a very high percentage of patients have their symptoms relieved by having their varicose veins treated.

Restless syndrome does tend to become more severe after a person passes middle age.

At least 80 percent of people with RLS have a related condition called periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS). PLMS causes the legs to twitch or jerk during sleep. This can happen every 15 to 40 seconds and can continue all night long.

As for other conditions that can present similar symptoms, there are many:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle diseases
• Joint conditions
• Circulation problems
• Peripheral neuropathy