Restless Legs Syndrome Makes You Sleepless

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist Associate Professor Ahmet İnanır gave important information on the subject. Restless Legs Syndrome is a set of symptoms that manifest itself with leg pain, cramps, tingling, itching and burning sensations at rest (even during land and air travel) or while sleeping, and can occur in other parts of the body other than the legs. Many of the patients complain of an unavoidable compulsion to move (the irresistible urge to move) and experience sleep problems caused by the disease. What is Restless Legs Syndrome? What are the Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome? Who is most likely to have Restless Legs Syndrome? How is Restless Legs Syndrome diagnosed? What is the treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?

What are the Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome?

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome may include leg pain and compulsion to move (which can also affect the arms), cramping, numbness, tingling, itching, and burning. Worsening or increasing frequency of complaints seriously affects sleep quality and can cause depression, panic disorder and aggressive attitudes. It usually starts slowly and increases gradually. Many diseases can cause the feeling of restlessness in the legs. Leg complaints in restless legs syndrome can usually be relieved by moving the legs, these findings occur in stagnant tissue. The findings bother people more towards the end of the day, during long rest and at midnight. Diabetes, pregnancy, hypothyroidism, heavy metal toxins, polyneuropathy, hormonal diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Disc Hernias (hernias), Muscle diseases, anemia, uremia, smoking, caffeine, alcohol, kidney as it may be genetic origin. It can also occur due to insufficiency of blood circulation in the legs, some medications.

Who is most likely to have Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless legs are more common in women, but can also be seen in men and during pregnancy.

How is Restless Legs Syndrome diagnosed?

Restless legs syndrome does not appear with imaging methods or blood tests. Diagnosis is made according to the complaints of the patients. In order to make the diagnosis, the need to move the legs is kept in the foreground. Some patients may have different expressions. They state that they feel as if their legs are bothering them like pain machines at night, their muscles are tightening like a vise, and they are feeling like ants are crawling on their legs. These complaints seem to go away or alleviate with action.

What is the treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?

It is of great importance to determine the source of the problem with a detailed examination in patients with restless legs syndrome symptoms. In untreated patients, excessive daytime sleepiness, problems in their daily life, work, social relations, concentration disorder, forgetfulness, and susceptibility to depression are common. In the treatment of restless legs syndrome, drugs can be used to treat the underlying causes of the disease (iron deficiency, diabetes, etc.). In addition, drugs that increase dopamine levels are used as drug therapy in patients with a definite diagnosis. Daily exercises, massages, cold or hot applications help relieve symptoms in patients with mild symptoms. In addition, the use of drugs that cause the disease should be restricted. Alcohol, coffee, chocolate and smoking should be stopped. Parkinson's disease, kidney disease, varicose veins, rheumatic diseases should be treated first. Vitamin (especially B12 and D-vitamins) and mineral (Magnesium) deficiencies should be eliminated. Treatment of patients should not be limited; Neural therapy, Manual therapy, Prolotrapy, Cupping therapy, Kinesiology taping, Ozone therapy and regenerative treatment options, which are a very up-to-date treatment approach, should be offered to the patient. Treatment should be continued until the patient's complaints disappear.