Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs while at rest. These uncomfortable sensations include pins and needles, itching and ‘insect crawling’ and can vary from being mild to severe.
Symptoms usually occur when at rest, such as when sitting or lying, and are typically worse at night. Due to this RLS is considered to be a sleep disorder due to its impact on the quality of sleep experienced by sufferers.
RLS is not a serious disorder, but the severity can fluctuate and patients can experience intermittent symptoms which affects the quality of life. Patients often suffer severe sleep deprivation which impacts negatively on their productivity during the day, making it important to identify and treat the disease.
Restless Leg Syndrome is a treatable disorder and there is a wide range of causes behind it:
1 Iron Deficiency Anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by low hemoglobin levels in the blood due to inadequate levels of iron. It is one of the leading causes of restless leg syndrome (RLS). There are many reasons why a person may suffer from iron deficiency and it is more common in those following a vegan diet.
Correcting iron deficiency by taking iron supplements has been found to relieve the symptoms. If you are experiencing RLS symptoms, consult your doctor who can perform a blood test to check if you have an iron deficiency and will be able to prescribe you with supplements and dietary changes.
More causes on next page…
