- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- Possible causes of the syndrome
- How the treatment is done
Restless legs syndrome is a sleep disorder characterized by involuntary movement and a sensation of discomfort in the feet and legs, which can occur soon after going to bed or throughout the night, interfering with the ability to sleep well.
Generally, restless legs syndrome appears after age 40 and is more common in women, although it can happen in people of all ages. In addition, episodes of the syndrome also seem to happen more frequently in people who go to bed very tired.
The restless legs syndrome has no cure, but its discomfort can be reduced through relaxation techniques or taking medications prescribed by the doctor.
Main symptoms
People who suffer from restless legs syndrome usually show signs and symptoms such as:
- Uncontrollable desire to move legs in bed; Discomfort in legs or feet, which can be described as tingling, itching or burning, for example; Having difficulty falling asleep due to discomfort; Feeling frequent tiredness and sleep during the day.
The symptoms appear to be more intense when the person is lying or sitting and tends to improve when the person gets up and walks a little.
In addition, as the syndrome can also cause discomfort while sitting, it is very common for people with this syndrome to move their legs while sitting during the day.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of restless legs syndrome is usually made by a general practitioner or a doctor specializing in sleep disorders. Although there is no test capable of confirming the diagnosis, the doctor is usually suspicious of the syndrome by assessing the symptoms.
Possible causes of the syndrome
The specific causes of the appearance of restless legs syndrome are not yet known, however, it seems to be related to disorders in areas of the brain that are responsible for controlling muscle movements and dependent on the neurotransmitter dopamine.
In addition, this syndrome also appears to be frequently accompanied by other changes such as iron deficiency, advanced kidney disease, excessive use of alcohol or drugs, neuropathy or use of some types of medication, such as anti-nausea, antidepressant or antiallergic remedies.
Restless legs syndrome is even more common in pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, disappearing after the baby is born.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for restless legs syndrome is usually initiated with care in feeding to try to avoid the consumption of foods and drinks that can be stimulating and worsen symptoms, such as coffee or alcohol, for example.
In addition, the doctor can often also try to identify if there are any other health changes that may contribute to worsening symptoms, such as anemia, diabetes or thyroid changes, for example, starting treatment for this condition, if any. identified.
In the most severe cases, when the symptoms are very intense and prevent the person from sleeping, some remedies can be used, such as:
- Dopamine agonists: they are usually the first treatment option with drugs and act as the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain, reducing the intensity of symptoms; Benzodiazepines: are sedatives that help you fall asleep more easily, even if there are still some symptoms; Alpha 2 agonists: stimulate alpha 2 receptors in the brain, which turn off the part of the nervous system responsible for involuntary muscle control, relieving the symptoms of the syndrome.
In addition, opiates can also be used, which are very strong medications generally used for severe pain, but which can also reduce the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. However, because they are extremely addictive and can cause several side effects, they should only be used under the supervision of the doctor.
