Restless Leg Syndrome Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Restless Leg Syndrome, also known as Willis Ekbom Disease. This is a condition that affects the nervous system. In this condition, the sufferer experiences an unpleasant sensation in the legs and an irresistible urge to move the legs.
Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms
People with restless leg syndrome will experience abnormal and uncomfortable sensations in the legs (although rare, they can also be experienced in the hands). These sensations can be in the form of pain, pulling, itching, feeling like someone is crawling, and so on. This is common on both sides, although it can only affect one side. This sensation generally improves with movement, so the sufferer will try to always move his leg (or the affected limb).
These complaints generally get worse in the evening and at night, and are often without complaints in the morning. During sleep, you can find Periodic Limb Movement in Sleep (PLMS), which is jerking movements of the legs while sleeping. This can disturb the sleep of sufferers and their partners. In addition, people with this syndrome often have difficulty sleeping and difficulty staying asleep.
Restless Leg Syndrome Reason
In most cases, the exact cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown. However, it is thought that there are genetic factors that influence. Especially if there is a family history of symptoms appearing before the age of 40.
Dysfunction was also found in the brain’s basal ganglia (which regulates movement) and the brain chemical dopamine (which helps smooth muscle movements) in restless leg syndrome. The amount of dopamine normally decreases at night, so new symptoms often appear at night.
Apart from these causes, there are other things related to this syndrome, such as:
- co-existing health problems, such as iron deficiency anemia, chronic disease (kidney disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, etc.), pregnancy (complaints generally appear from 27 weeks of gestation), or nerve damage (neuropathy)
- the influence of several types of drugs (anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti-histamines, lithium, calcium-channel blockers, and so on)
- smoking problems, caffeine consumption, excessive alcohol consumption
- obesity and infrequent exercise habits
- stress
Diagnosis
There is no specific examination to determine the diagnosis of restless leg syndrome. Gathering information about the symptoms experienced and a physical examination will be carried out to help determine the diagnosis.
The criteria for confirming the diagnosis of this disease are:
- a strong urge to move the legs that is often accompanied by abnormal or unpleasant sensations
- urge to move legs begins or worsens with inactivity (rest)
- this urge to move the leg will improve temporarily, partially, or totally with movement
- the urge to move the legs gets worse in the evening or at night
- these four conditions are not caused by any other medical or behavioral problems
Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment
To overcome restless leg syndrome, several steps are needed which include:
- Lifestyle changes, such as:
- avoiding stimulants or problem triggers such as caffeine, cigarettes, and alcohol before bed
- stop smoking
- Exercising properly and regularly 4–5 times a week
- practice good sleep habits: the same bedtime and wake time every day, avoid naps, try to relax before going to bed, provide a comfortable room conducive to sleep
- Adopt a healthy and nutritious diet
- Avoid symptom triggers
- If symptoms appear, several things can be done to relieve them, namely:
- foot massage
- hot showers, especially in the afternoon
- cold or hot compresses on the feet
- doing activities that divert the mind (e.g. reading, watching movies, etc.)
- walking and stretching
- physical exercise that promotes relaxation, such as with yoga or tai chi
- Use of drugs such as dopamine agonists, anti-pain, anti-convulsants, sedatives to help sleep, levodopa.
Prevention
So far there is no sure way to prevent restless leg syndrome. However, a healthy lifestyle that stays away from smoking and alcohol, maintaining an ideal body weight, and an active lifestyle can keep the body in good shape. Later it will also keep the brain and body from being exposed to excessive stress.