Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

What are the Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome?

• Although the root cause of RLS is still not known, most of the cases are due to heredity & run in families. 
• Certain conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, Parkinsonism, diabetes, & kidney or spinal cord injury, can be the contributing factors of RLS. 
• Medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, & antihistamines can be the trigger factors & increase the severity of the condition. 
• Low levels of iron or iron deficiencies can lead to RLS as they affect dopamine levels.
• Hormonal changes and iron deficiency during pregnancy can be contributing factors to RLS.

What is the diagnosis & treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?

For an early diagnosis and treatment plan, it is best to speak with your healthcare provider as soon as you encounter any of the symptoms, which may interfere with your everyday activities and sleep schedule. Furthermore, in addition to the patient’s history, RLS can be diagnosed with physical and neurological examinations, as well as genetic testing to identify gene variations. While a sleep study is not normally used as a direct diagnostic technique in this condition, it is performed at night to assess their disrupted sleep patterns and assist them in managing related symptoms.

By leading a healthy lifestyle and taking your medication as directed, you can stop the condition from getting worse and get relief from these uncomfortable movements.

Treatment depends upon the cause & severity of RLS; mild cases, which do not involve any underlying cause, can be managed with simple lifestyle changes such as maintaining a sleep routine and avoiding smoking and drinking habits. On the other hand, severe cases that are caused by certain chronic conditions need medication.

• Dopamine agonists such as pramipexole help in restoring the dopamine levels in the brain to improve the RLS symptoms. These drugs are not much preferred because they can cause augmentation, and daily use may make symptoms worse for some people.
• Gabapentin, a calcium channel blocker, is often a preferred first-line drug for RLS, as they do not cause augmentation, unlike dopamine agonists, and works by reducing the excess nerve signaling and improving the symptoms of crawling, tingling, etc.
• Iron supplements are recommended to improve sleep & restore dopamine function in iron deficiency-related RLS.
• Low doses of opioids are commonly used to treat RLS when other medications fail to improve the symptoms.