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Restless Legs Syndrome

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Sleeping Problems (Home) > Restless Legs Syndrome > Restless Leg Syndrome-Victory Over Defeat

General

Restless Leg Syndrome is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move or shake or tap ones legs. This is because of a reflex action to a strange and indescribable feeling and a sensation of creeping insects or electric currents flowing in the leg or lower torso. The patients move the legs because it gives them temporary relief. Restless Leg Syndrome occurs mostly in the late evenings and at night time.

Genesis

Restless Leg Syndrome and the reasons why it occurs has not been clearly understood so far. While some specialists say that it is neurological disorder, others say classify it as a sleep disorder. But what is known is that for some strange reasons the symptoms of this disorder occur most often in the late evenings and at night. The symptoms are aggravated by a number of emotional and physiological factors but prolonged stress almost always adds to the problems.

Their irresistible urge to move, tap or shake the leg is described by the patients in different words. Some say the symptoms are a creepy feeling of insects crawling up the leg while others talk of electric currents. Medical specialists describe this as Jimmy Legs and explain that these symptoms are triggered by motor nerve restlessness. There are two types of Restless Leg Syndrome. There is the primary or idiopathic syndrome which occurs early in life and then there is the secondary syndrome which is noticed in people older than forty years of age. The secondary syndrome has been found to a relation with deficiencies of vitamin B.

Victory over Defeat

The battle with Restless Leg Syndrome can be won with structured regular exercises like brisk walking and simple stretching physical workouts. Yoga postures are also useful in the control and management of the disorder. Since it was noticed that Restless Leg Syndrome worsened with relaxation after an exercise schedule a number of case studies were carried out. And it was found that it had something to do the enzyme dopamine which is secreted by our bodies when we exercise. Doctors now circumvent the problem so that exercise keeps the Restless Leg Syndrome under control. A little management of the intake of carbohydrates and starches in food has to be ensured. Iron supplements both as medications and iron rich nutrients are also advisable. Intake of caffeine in all its forms including beverages have to reduced or avoided altogether as for unknown reasons they have been found to aggravate the Restless Leg Syndrome.

Random Sleeping Tip
There is a community of people who feel hungry when they are going to bed at night. They generally eat a very heavy meal before going to bed and that just causes them to suffer from heartburn and this results in a great deal of pain and suffering due to the regurgitation of the food into the esophagus. Therefore people who feel hungry before bedtime then they should eat light snacks such as juice, cookies, and also foods that contain tryptophan that help induces sleep.

Sometimes Restless Leg Syndrome is not detected in its early stages until it becomes evident and more serious. This is because it is mistaken for sleep apnea, arthritis or vascular disorders like varicose veins. Left untreated it progressively develops into more serious sleep disorders.

Conclusion

The exact reasons for the occurrence of Restless Leg Syndrome are not understood clearly. The clinical symptoms too are varied and bear a vague relation to emotional and psychological factors. However, with a deliberate effort of changing the life style and eating habits, the condition can be managed.


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