Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological condition in which itchy legs, discomfort like crawling insects, and a feeling of tightness in the legs even without a specific stimulus. It is a disease that mainly appears before sleeping and causes symptoms such as tremors in the extremities, causing sleep disturbance. Restless Legs Syndrome, which is said to have related symptoms at a rate of 10 to 15% of the total population, is about 70% of the patients who develop it, and among them, the incidence is highest in middle-aged people. If there is a family history, it is reported to occur in young people before the age of 30.
The cause of restless legs syndrome is still unknown. In addition to genetic factors, it is estimated that various factors such as abnormal synthesis of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, iron deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, renal failure, and cystitis have a major influence on the occurrence. In addition, factors such as extreme stress and pregnancy that cause abnormal secretion of hormones are known to exacerbate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Now, let’s learn about the main symptoms that appear when restless legs syndrome occurs, and various information about treatment and prevention.
Restless Legs Syndrome Main Symptoms
When the symptoms of restless legs syndrome occur, the legs are itchy, an unpleasant feeling like insects crawling, and the legs are aching, pulling, and numb. These pains are most severe at night and cause sleep disturbances that interfere with sleep. It is reported that this sleep disorder occurs in about 60% of all restless legs syndrome patients. In addition, these related symptoms are not limited to the legs, but can also occur in the arms and shoulders. Although rare, it is said to occur in areas such as the tip of the nose. And while the pain and discomfort persist if you stand still, the symptoms tend to be temporarily relieved by massaging the painful area or engaging in activity.
It is known that restless legs syndrome does not develop into a serious, life-threatening disease. . In addition, symptoms may appear if sitting for a long time or not moving during the daytime, even during the daytime, not during sleep. It’s possible. Therefore, when related symptoms appear, it is important to receive an appropriate diagnosis and early treatment to prevent further worsening of the symptoms. In particular, it is important to accurately identify the symptoms, as several accompanying symptoms are often mistaken for numbness in the hands and feet caused by blood circulation disorders, simple insomnia, varicose veins, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and growing pains in children.
Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment and Prevention
1. Diagnosis and treatment
Restless legs syndrome is diagnosed accurately by performing various tests such as polysomnography, exercise inhibition test, and iron test. And depending on the severity of the symptoms, different treatment methods are applied. If the symptoms are not severe, treatment that does not use drugs such as foot and leg massage, foot baths, and moderate-intensity exercise will be centered. Treatment methods such as taking iron preparations and iron injections to help will be implemented.
2. Regular sleep habits
In order to prevent restless legs syndrome and relieve symptoms, it is very important to have a regular sleeping habit. It is important to maintain a regular sleep habit by creating a comfortable sleep environment and securing sufficient sleep time for a good night’s sleep. In addition, it is said that it is very helpful to properly relieve stress by performing relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation before bedtime. In addition, various methods such as massaging a heating pad or ice pack before sleeping, a warm bath and foot bath, and vibration massage to relieve muscle tension can also help relieve symptoms. On the other hand, coffee and energy drinks containing caffeine are a cause of disturbing sleep, so it is recommended to avoid consumption during treatment. In addition, smoking and alcohol are also risk factors that are likely to aggravate symptoms, so it is recommended to refrain from them.
3. Moderate intensity aerobic exercise
Light and moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, is also said to help relieve the symptoms of restless legs syndrome because it relieves muscle tension. However, it is recommended to avoid excessive and strenuous exercise as it can put strain on the muscles and worsen the symptoms. In particular, it is recommended to limit excessive exercise in the evening as much as possible before going to sleep, as exercise that can strain the leg muscles can cause muscle tension and worsen symptoms.
4. Eat iron-rich foods
As restless legs syndrome is caused by a deficiency of iron, which helps in the synthesis of dopamine, it is recommended to consume foods containing a lot of iron, which serves as a raw material for the synthesis of dopamine. Meat such as beef, nuts, broccoli, eggs, seaweed, oysters, and other foods are representative foods with high iron content, so it is recommended to consume them regularly.
In addition, it is important to consume foods that are rich in vitamin C, which increase the absorption rate of iron, and foods high in protein, which help blood formation, play an important role in improving symptoms. However, irregular eating patterns can cause symptoms aggravation, so it is necessary to make an effort to change the habit, and excessive weight loss can also worsen the occurrence and symptoms of restless legs syndrome, so it is recommended not to do it.
