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Do you feel the need to move your legs frequently


of uncomfortable unpleasant sensations?


Are the unpleasant sensations worse when sitting still or lying down?


Do the unpleasant sensations disappear or reduce when you’re walking or stretching?


Does the problem get worse or only occur in the evening or at night?


If you answered yes to all four questions you may be suffering from restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Ekbom syndrome after the professor who first named it.


RLS is a disorder in which the brain incorrectly combines and interprets sensing and movement. The sufferer feels an irresistible urge to move their legs, (and sometimes other limbs) in response to the perceived discomfort.


RLS can interfere with sleep, making sufferers drowsy and irritable the next day. It can cause problems at work if the sufferer is required to spend long periods sitting at a desk, and in the worst cases it can result in job loss and relationship problems.


RLS is a common condition. Up to 10% of people are believed to suffer with it, yet many health professionals don’t really understand what it is and how to treat it. It is now believed


56


Restless Legs Syndrome because


or


to be caused by an imbalance of dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain. It is likely to be genetic because about 60% of people with restless legs also have a family member with the condition.


Anyone can suffer with RLS, but it is more common in older adults and women. In fact, about 40% of pregnant women report the symptoms to some degree. Health conditions such as diabetes, iron deficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney failure can also trigger restless legs syndrome.


The severity of RLS varies between individuals. Most cases are mild and can be alleviated by: • Walking or stretching • • •


Taking a warm or cool bath Relaxation exercises


Distraction... having a conversation or playing a game


• Massage For more severe


cases medication may


be helpful, particularly iron tablets in the presence of anaemia, or sometimes dopaminergic drugs similar to those used in Parkinson’s disease.


Certainly, you don’t have to suffer in silence. If you think you might have RLS talk to your GP and visit the support site www.ekbom.org.uk


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