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- What is restless legs syndrome?
- Symptoms of restless legs syndrome
- Causes of restless legs syndrome
- Prevention of restless legs syndrome
- Risk factors for restless legs syndrome
- Complications of restless legs syndrome
- When to see a doctor about restless legs syndrome
- Diagnosis of restless legs syndrome
- Conventional treatment of restless legs syndrome
- Alternative/complementary treatment of restless legs syndrome
- Living with restless legs syndrome
- Caring for someone with restless legs syndrome
What is restless legs syndrome?
Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder of the legs mainly, but can also affect the arms. It causes discomfort in the legs (or arms) and an urge to move (get up and walk) to relieve the discomfort. Moving around (walking, exercising) seems to only relieve symptoms temporarily in most people.
Since restless legs syndrome affects the legs (and arms) on resting, sleep may be difficult, so people with this disorder often do not get enough sleep and feel sleepy during day, making it difficult to concentrate on work, school or other activities.
Some scientists think that restless legs syndrome may be present in as many as 25% of people with sleep disorders.
There are two types of restless legs syndrome (RLS):
- Primary RLS - this is the most common type of RLS and once it begins, it is present for life with symptoms usually getting worse over time for most people unless the RLS is a more milder form, which does not usually get worse and may have periods of no symptoms
- Secondary RLS - this is when RLS is caused as a symptom of another disorder, or as a side effect of taking certain medications; once the condition is resolved or the medication stopped, the RLS seems to improve as well
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Facts about restless legs syndrome
- Onset of symptoms are reported mainly in children and young adults aged between 10 and 20 years
- Studies show this condition is more common than either epilepsy or diabetes in children and young adults between the ages of 10-20 years
- People who have a more severe form of the condition are usually middle-aged or older
- People who have RLS are often sleep-deprived from the symptoms keeping them awake at night
- Other conditions can mimic restless legs syndrome, so a medical diagnosis is required to diagnose the condition
- Restless legs syndrome become worse when sitting or lying down
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