Causes And Treatment Of Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom’s disease, is a condition in which a person experiences an unpleasant sensation in their lower limbs that forces them to move their legs. The discomfort harms the patient while he is at rest and typically occurs at bedtime.

An estimated 5-15% of Finns suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome, and the typical patient is over 40 years old. The prevalence of the syndrome increases with age.

Causes and symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome appears to be a neurological disease associated with a disorder of central nervous system dopamine metabolism. The ailment is partly due to hereditary factors, and iron deficiency increases symptoms as iron is needed for the dopamine system to function. The syndrome has also been found to be associated with pregnancy in younger women.

In addition to this, certain medications as well as coffee and alcohol can increase the symptoms of restless legs. However, in more than half of the cases, the symptoms occur as an independent form without a predisposing factor or disease.

The main symptom of Restless Legs Syndrome is an unpleasant sensation at rest in the lower extremities that forces you to move your legs, which makes it easier to feel uncomfortable. Although this syndrome is typically a disorder in people over the age of 40, it occurs in men and women of all ages.

An uncomfortable feeling can spread to your feet after an airplane or car ride, or even when you sit still for more than half an hour in a movie theater, for example. Most commonly, however, the discomfort occurs at bedtime, in which case it can severely interfere with sleep. 

The symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome vary from individual to individual and can manifest as tingling and burning, for example. Although pain is rare, it can occur in the most severe cases. The discomfort is relieved by moving the legs and especially walking. Stretching and shaking the lower extremities also usually helps.

Diagnosis and treatment of restless legs

In some cases, regular exercise reduces the symptoms of restless legs, but heavy exercise and caffeine and alcohol intake and smoking should be avoided in the evening. Massage and cooling of the feet can relieve the symptoms a bit and the heat often makes them worse. It is important to keep the sleeping environment as cool and peaceful as possible.