History and understanding of RLS

Restless Leg Syndrome, though only in the public view through commercials, was first written about in medical books in the mid-1940’s, though it is believed to have been around for centuries with it’s causes still not completely understood.

In studies done several years ago in a search for the reasons and causes of RLS states that there is a possible relation between adults with RLS and ADD or ADHD. The symptoms of RLS can include burning, itching, a crawling sensation and a need to move that is almost uncontrollable in order to seek relief for the feelings in their legs. Likewise, ADD/ADHD is similar in symptoms including restlessness, distractibility and impulsiveness – making the correlation between RLS patients and those who also may have ADD/ADHD, a lesser known condition in adults. In addition, because of the inability to rest, a person may seem hyperactive and inattentive due to the lack of sleep they are getting. In further study, both disorders are a possible result of a low level of Dopamine in the brain. The levels of this chemical in the brain is shown to cause the inability of control movements in a natural way, or what may be perceived as normal. When it comes to treatment, medications that work on increase Dopamine in the brain can help with RLS symptoms as well as in ADD/ADHD patients.

In further study, using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (RLS) scans, a second theory has been developed, as the imagines show a low amount of iron in the brain of patients with RLS as opposed to those who do not have the disorder. This once again leads to the theory of Dopamine as it is made from Iron carried to nerve cells in the brain. This finding can lead to the understanding of RLS as a secondary condition when a person suffers from an Iron deficiency such as Anemia, Peripheral neuropathy which is caused by damage to the nerves in the leg and arms, during pregnancy, Diabetes, Kidney disease and Parkinson’s disease. The treatment of these conditions, when fully understood can be treated by your doctor in turn offering relief from RLS.

Since RLS is known to be a primary condition as well as a secondary condition, your doctor will be better prepared to treat you when he knows your full history and can make the decision as to how it is affecting you. When RLS is the primary condition, it is known to be called “Idiopathic,” which means there is no real cause; this tends to be the most common diagnosis. Secondary RLS symptoms, as the name states, are the result of another condition.

Other than medical conditions, the lack of certain vitamins in the body can lead to RLS symptoms. For instance, magnesium deficiency, lack of vitamin B-12, Lyme disease, and arthritis, in this case vitamins or focusing on these deficiencies can in themselves help relieve symptoms. When it comes to primary RLS, however, caffeine or alcohol intake as well as cigarette smoking and other lifestyle practices can play a part in the disorder.