9 Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) | Living Healthier

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... 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes mellitus occurs when the insulin levels produced by the body are too low, leading to increased blood glucose levels. If not controlled in time, high blood glucose levels can damage multiple organs in the body. One of the major complications of diabetes mellitus is peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) caused by high blood glucose present in the blood for extended periods. This often results in patients experiencing abnormal sensations like pins and needles. This nerve disorder is also a cause of restless leg syndrome. So, if you are diabetic, make sure to maintain your blood sugar level within a normal range. See your doctor if you are concerned that you are demonstrating symptoms of diabetes which could be connected to RLS. 3 Kidney Failure. Kidney failure is a serious cause of restless leg syndrome. The major function of the kidneys is the detoxification of the body and maintaining acid-base balance of the blood. When kidney failure occurs, many harmful chemicals are not excreted from the body and are accumulated in the blood and other organs. This leads to the emergence of RLS in the patients of kidney disease. There are many causes of kidney failure, diabetes and hypertension being at the top. If you have a kidney condition and start experiencing a restless leg, it is an indication that you need to see your doctor immediately. 4 Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s disease is caused due to the deficiency of the chemical dopamine in the brain. The deficiency of this chemical also leads to restless leg syndrome. The relationship between neurotransmitters in the brain and RLS is complicated and unclear. However, it has been noticed that taking medications that increase the level of dopamine neurotransmitter in the brain improve the symptoms of RLS. 5 Pregnancy. Some women may experience restless leg syndrome during pregnancy. It affects about 10-34% of all pregnant women. RLS is usually experienced during the last trimester. The reason behind restless legs during the third trimester is speculated to be due to a deficiency of iron and folic acid. This deficiency occurs due to the increased demand of both of these nutrients. High estrogen levels in pregnancy and changes in vitamin D and calcium metabolism also contribute. RLS during pregnancy is not a major concern and does not need any treatment except for adequate supplements as per the requirement of pregnancy. This disease usually disappears on its own within one month of delivery. However, sometimes symptoms are severe enough to require medication during pregnancy. 6 Anxiety and Depression. People with anxiety and depression can have restless leg syndrome. Anxiety and depression are associated with the release of various chemical substances in the body, while many others become deficient which may lead to restless legs. Patients with anxiety or depression who experience any symptoms of RLS are encouraged to seek medical help. These symptoms only improve once the patient gets treatment for the underlying cause i.e. anxiety or depression. Such patients should see a psychologist or psychiatrist as soon as possible. 7 Celiac Disease. Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is characterized by chronic diarrhea in response to wheat, barley and rye products. Due to this chronic diarrhea, many important nutrients are not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. As described earlier, iron and folic acid deficiency are well-known causes of RLS. These deficiencies are quite common with celiac disease. To overcome this problem, gluten-intolerant individuals are advised to exclude food containing gluten from their diet. This will stop diarrhea and hence, iron and folic acid are better absorbed. Moreover, supplementary iron and folic acid may be taken to overcome the deficiency. Please see a health care professional for advice. 8 Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic condition which is more common in women. Patients have pain all over the body, fatigue and increased sensitivity to pain stimulus. Patients with FMS can experience restless leg syndrome (RLS), so treatment of the underlying cause is required to treat restless leg in such patients. Both these diseases seriously affect the quality of life, therefore treatment should not be delayed. 9 Medications. Different medications are associated with the symptoms of RLS. These drugs include antipsychotic agents, dopamine antagonists and centrally acting anti-histamines. Avoiding such medicines can cure the symptoms of RLS. However, make sure that you see your doctor before discontinuing any medication and get an alternative prescribed. Stopping a drug without starting an alternative can worsen the symptoms of your other medical conditions. Lifestyle factors like caffeine intake, alcohol withdrawal and sleep deprivation are also important risk factors for RLS.

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