You may familiar with the condition known as Restless Leg Syndrome, but if you’ve never suffered from it, you are prone to have a kind of cavalier attitude about it.  Many who have never felt the affects of this common sleep disorder see it as a minor complaint, even something that’s mainly psychosomatic.  But though RLS can sometimes be driven by psychology, its effects are very real, and it often requires some level of treatment.

Restless Leg Syndrome or RLS is essentially a sensation in the legs.  It can be mild or extreme, and usually is relieved when the person moves the limbs.  The condition often starts when the person is at rest and gets worse at night, when people tend to focus more on how their limbs are feeling.

The more extreme cases of RLS cause profoundly disturbed sleep, leading to the classification of RLS as a “sleep disorder”.  Doctors treating RLS often consider the goal of promoting healthy sleep for a patient, because a state of sleep deprivation has its own major short terms and long term effects on a patient’s health.

Who suffers?

Studies show that RLS often hits people after their teenage years, though different kinds of RLS have different causes.  Women are known to suffer from this condition at slightly higher rates than men.  Some research seems to point to evidence of hereditary or genetic RLS.
What Causes RLS?

The medical community has identified a difference between primary RLS and secondary RLS.  Primary RLS is when the condition is not brought about by other medical conditions.  This kind of RLS is what some might call the “phantom” illness, where it can be hard to diagnose what is causing the condition.  It can be caused by stress or other factors, but doctors define it as a “neurological condition” and something that generally advances with age.

Secondary RLS can be the result of other conditions, from diabetes to anemia or kidney disease.  Pregnant women can also experience secondary RLS, as well as those disgnosed with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Hyper-Deficit Disorder).

What Can You Do?

When RLS has you up against the ropes, there are a few ways you can cope.  Try these tactics to lessen or alleviate your symptoms.
 
- take part in activities when you get symptoms or do other things to keep your mind occupied
- try yoga, pilates or meditation to help with controlling your sensations
- try icing or heating affected areas
- do some light massage of the limbs that are affected

In addition, some light exercise can help.  Although experts say that heavy exercise or a hard workout can actually make RLS worse, a little moderate walking or other activity helps condition muscles to deal with small changes and might help out a little with RLS symptoms.  As always, stay away from ‘extreme’ cures – consult your doctor about the best way to beat restless leg for a good night’s sleep!