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 Stopping Sleepless Nights
What You Need to Know
about Restless Legs Syndrome, a Common but Unrecognized Condition
(ARA) - "Creepy-crawly,"
"prickly," "tingling," and "twitching"
... These are the words typically used to describe one of the
most common but relatively unknown sleep disorders in the United
States: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
According to the National Institutes
of Health (NIH), nearly 12 million Americans have RLS, and even
though it's slowly becoming more recognized, many researchers
believe RLS is misdiagnosed or never diagnosed at all, since
many people feel their symptoms will not be taken seriously or
cannot be treated.
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To address the continuing need
for public education, the RLS Foundation, an organization committed
to providing information and assisting RLS patients in finding
a doctor or support group, is funding new research and sponsoring
educational initiatives.
"My mother, my sister and
I had these awful sensations. We couldn't sleep or sit still
on long car rides. It was difficult for my father, our doctors
and even my wife, to understand," said Bob Waterman, chairman
of the RLS Foundation's board of directors. "We were relieved
to finally discover we had a real illness; it had a name; it
could be treated."
The classic symptom of RLS is
uncomfortable sensations in the legs that worsen at night or
when the legs have not moved for an extended period of time.
The only way to relieve this feeling is by moving the legs, making
a good night's sleep or any activities that restrict movement,
such as long drives, plane trips, or going to movies or sporting
events, very difficult. |
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"People suffering from RLS
not only see their quality of life diminish, but they may be
unaware they have a real disorder that can be diagnosed and treated,"
said John Winkelman, M.D., Ph.D., sleep specialist at Harvard
Medical School and member of the RLS Foundation's medical advisory
board.
"Physicians also need to
be aware of RLS so they can properly diagnose patients and prescribe
the most appropriate medication when necessary."
Among the primary symptoms
of RLS are:
- Compelling or irresistible urge
to move the affected limbs (most often the legs);
- Uncomfortable (creepy-crawly)
sensations deep in the limbs;
- The urge to move and the uncomfortable
sensations are relieved with movement of the affected limbs;
- Symptoms are worse in the evening
and at night, especially when the individual is at rest.
Associated features of RLS
include:
- Periodic leg movements (PLM),
characterized by a repetitive jerking of the leg, either during
sleep or when awake;
- Sleep disturbance and fatigue;
- Family history;
- Absence of other conditions
known to cause RLS symptoms, such as iron deficiency and pregnancy.
"By educating yourself,
you develop a greater understanding of the condition and can
have a more productive discussion with your doctor," said
Waterman. "The recognition of RLS symptoms by you and your
doctor will lead to a quicker diagnosis and treatment."
The RLS Foundation recently held
its first national meeting to share new research among doctors
and patients. The foundation has also established Sept. 23, the
birth date of RLS discoverer Dr. Karl Ekbom, as the annual International
RLS Awareness Day.
While new research is being conducted,
there are many effective treatments for RLS currently available.
In mild cases, simple lifestyle changes such as taking baths,
having massages, doing yoga and other relaxation exercises, and
eliminating caffeine and alcohol may improve symptoms. In severe
cases, various classes of medication, including dopaminergic
agents, sedatives, anti-convulsants and pain relievers, have
relieved RLS symptoms. However, all of the classes of drugs have
varying benefits and side effects, so patients must discuss which
medication is most appropriate for them with their doctors. |
