What is restless leg syndrome? What are the symptoms and treatment methods?

An uncomfortable sensation like burning, tingling and sometimes tingling in my legs starts when I am sitting or lying in my bed in the evening, that is when I am resting …

I feel the need to constantly move my legs to relax… These problems are so serious at night that it is impossible to sleep! Even though my complaints diminish when I get up and move around the house, they continue with all their intensity when I go to bed … Most nights, I can only fall asleep around the morning when my complaints subside … Sleepless nights are expensive; I wake up tired in the morning, and I have serious problems in my family, work and social life because I am extremely sleepy during the day! If you suffer from such leg problems, especially at night, beware! “Restless Leg Syndrome” may be the reason why you don’t get enough sleep at night!

The problem of 3 million people in our country!

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS); It is an image that manifests itself in the desire to move the legs, especially in the evening and while standing still, and accompanying symptoms such as pain, tingling, tingling and burning. In our country, 100 out of 4 people are diagnosed with restless leg syndrome. In other words, an average of 3 million people in our country are struggling with this syndrome. Although it can be seen in all age groups, the risk increases with age. Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Murat Aksu, Stating that early diagnosis and treatment are very important in restless legs syndrome with sleep movement disorder, he says, “the adjustments to be made to lifestyle habits and drug treatment applied if necessary, as well as methods non-drug, can alleviate or even completely eliminate this syndrome. “

If there is just one of these symptoms …

Although restless leg syndrome usually starts in the evening and increases in severity at night, it can also develop during the day when we cannot move our legs for a long time due to long trips or meetings. Neurological specialist Professor Dr Murat Aksu lists the symptoms of this syndrome as follows:

• The development of an uncomfortable sensation such as burning, tingling, tingling, and pain in the legs
• The urge to move the legs because of the uncomfortable feeling
• The onset or exacerbation of symptoms in the evening. It is more severe at night when lying down.
• Burning, stinging, tingling, and pain sometimes occurring in other parts of the body (such as arms, trunk, abdomen, genetics) in addition to the legs
• Problems worsen when they are inactive
• Reduced complaints during movement, at least during movement
• Decrease or disappearance of problems that develop in the legs in the morning

Iron deficiency restless legs‘ it does

Although the exact mechanism of restless leg syndrome is not known, it is believed to be caused by a functional disorder of the dopaminergic nerve pathways in the brainstem and spinal cord. The genetic predisposition is of great importance in this syndrome. So much so that one in two people diagnosed with restless leg syndrome has a family history. teacher. Dr Murat Aksu, pointing out that iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of restless leg syndrome, said: risk factors. “said.

The patient’s history is the best diagnostic method.

Neurological specialist Prof Dr Murat Aksu said the best method for diagnosing restless legs syndrome is to listen to the patient and said: “A good history and neurological examination are sufficient for the diagnosis. However, in some cases it may be necessary to take a sleep test to make a diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, blood tests can be used to determine the cause of the disease and, if necessary, the EMG (electromyography) method can be used.

Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine

The first goal of treatment is to improve the patient’s sleep and quality of life. If there is no medical problem causing restless leg syndrome, first of all, lifestyle adjustments and non-drug methods are applied. “Ensuring sleep hygiene and limiting alcohol in the event of consumption are the first rules to which the patient must pay attention”, continues Prof. Dr Murat Aksu: “Changes in lifestyle such as exercising ” light stretching or a shower in lukewarm-cold water, limiting caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee from midday, and quitting smoking may be beneficial. In addition, methods such as massage and Stimulation of nerves near the surface of the skin with electrical signals may also be effective. If a medical condition such as iron deficiency is detected during examinations, treatment of this problem ensures that the syndrome is resolved. Sufficient benefits are not obtained from lifestyle adjustments and non-drug treatments, drug therapy is initiated at the last stage. Today, with drug therapy, it is possible e to eliminate the symptoms of the disease and to spend the night comfortably.