At night, your legs become heavy, tingling, or you roll back and forth restlessly, with the constant feeling that you need to turn or even get up to move? It may well be that you suffer from the so-called Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).
Restless Leg Syndrome is a neurological condition and ensures that those affected feel tingling in their legs or, more rarely, arms. Often the feeling arises of having to move the legs or constantly reposition them. For the diagnosis of RLS, the symptoms must be stronger at rest and weaken when exercise.
Restless Leg Syndrome – Who is affected?
Scientists estimate that up to 10% of people in Germany suffer from RLS. That’s about 8 million people who know the restless feeling in their legs in different versions. There are more women than men who have the symptoms of RLS, purely mathematically in a 2:1 ratio. Why this is so is not scientifically explained. Also, at an older age, the likelihood of developing RLS increases. In principle, however, complaints can occur at any age. Sometimes pregnant women suffer more from the syndrome, which usually subsides quickly after the birth of the children.
Where does Restless Leg Syndrome come from and how can it be diagnosed?
A distinction is made between two different predispositions, i.e. triggers. In other words, there are two possible causes. On the one hand, a genetic history. Parents or grandparents may have already suffered from RLS. On the other hand, RLS can be caused by deficiency symptoms such as iron deficiency. This form of Restless Leg Syndrome can be treated by remedying the deficiency. Therefore, in addition to a questionnaire, a blood count is also made. The questionnaire is intended to provide information on sleep behaviour and, for example, to exclude psychosomatic causes. The blood count may show irregularities or defects that can be corrected by adding medication or, for example, iron. Various metabolic disorders and kidney diseases can also trigger RLS.
Possible therapy options
Restless Leg Syndrome is not curable. There is currently no way to protect yourself against it or to cure the existing disease. Vaccines are not designed for this. But don’t worry, the symptoms and discomfort are treatable. There are now medically available ways to alleviate sufferers and help them get a consistent and uninterrupted sleep. This is sometimes the most stressful phase of their illness for everyone with RLS: the appearance at night, when the body comes to rest and recharges new energy. Therefore, the most common complaints are lack of sleep and pain in the legs or even arms. Both leach patients and can lead to other side effects, such as irritability, eye and headache or lack of concentration.
Exercise or medication?
Together with the doctor, the best treatment options can be found individually for each patient. It helps some patients to incorporate stress-relieving measures into their daily lives and to increase their movement level during the day. Thus, one way can be to walk every day for a certain time, exercise strength sports or even start with an endurance training. Relaxation methods can also be suitable, which calm the mind and support a classical therapy.
It may also be interesting for a treatment, which medications have been taken so far. Thus, certain medications can lead to an increase in symptoms. Together with your attending physician, you can discuss the dose and possibly reduce it.
For a drug-free treatment, leg wraps, massages and compresses are also suitable CBD oil with Restless Leg Syndrome. These methods are already very helpful, especially in the case of weak symptoms or a very young course of the disease.