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* "An urge to move, usually due to uncomfortable sensations that occur primarily in the legs."
The sensations are unusual and unlike other common sensations, and those with RLS have a hard time describing them. People use words such as: uncomfortable, antsy, electrical, creeping, painful, itching, pins and needles, pulling, creepy-crawly, ants inside the legs, and many others. The sensation and the urge can occur in any body part; the most cited location is legs, followed by arms. Some people have little or no sensation, yet still have a strong urge to move.
* "Motor restlessness, expressed as activity, that relieves the urge to move."
Movement will usually bring immediate relief, however, often only temporary and partial. Walking is most common; however, doing stretches, yoga, biking, or other physical activity may relieve the symptoms. Constant and fast up-and-down movement of the leg, coined "sewing machine legs" by at least one RLS sufferer, is often done to keep the sensations at bay without having to walk. Sometimes a specific type of movement will help a person more than another.
* "Worsening of symptoms by relaxation."
Any type of inactivity involving sitting or lying – reading a book, a plane ride, watching TV or a movie, taking a nap - can trigger the sensations and urge to move. This depends on several factors: the severity of the person’s RLS, the degree of restfulness, the duration of the inactivity, etc.
* "Variability over the course of the day-night cycle, with symptoms worse in the evening and early in the night."
While some only experience RLS at bedtime and others experience it throughout the day and night, most sufferers experience the worst symptoms in the evening and the least in the morning.
NIH criteria
In 2003 National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus panel modified their criteria in to include the following:
* (1) an urge to move the limbs with or without sensations
* (2) worsening at rest
* (3) improvement with activity
* (4) worsening in the evening or night.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Certain medications may worsen RLS in those who already have it, or cause it secondarily. These include: anti-nausea drugs, certain antihistamines (often in over-the-counter cold medications), drugs used to treat depression (both older tricyclics and newer SSRIs), antipsychotic drugs, and certain medications used to control seizures. Some people find it is worsened by the consumption of diet soda, alcohol, or caffeine. Hypoglycemia has also been found to worsen RLS symptoms. For those affected, a reduction or elimination in the consumption of simple carbohydrates (for example, sugar, white flour, white rice and white potatoes) or some hard fats, such as are found in beef or biscuits, is recommended.
Both primary and secondary RLS can be worsened by surgery of any kind, however back surgery or injury is often associated with causing RLS. RLS often worsens in pregnancy.
Genetics
40% of cases of RLS are familial and are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with variable penetrance.
No one knows the exact cause of RLS at present. Research and brain autopsies have implicated both dopaminergic system and iron insufficiency in the substantia nigra (study published in Neurology, 2003). Iron is an essential cofactor for the formation of L-dopa, the precursor of dopamine. An Icelandic study in 2005 confirmed the presence of an RLS susceptibility gene also found previously in a smaller French-Canadian population.
• Elderly Health - Restless Legs Syndrome...
• Elderly Health - Explanation...
• Elderly Health - Symptoms...
• Elderly Health - Incidence/Prevalence...
• Elderly Health - History...
• Elderly Health - Types...
• Elderly Health - Causes...
• Elderly Health - Treatment...
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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