Restless Leg Syndrome, Do You Have It?!
Have you ever had an irresistable urge to move/shake/kick your legs? If yes, you might have restless leg syndrome. Whoa…I never know there’s such a condition called Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). I mean, I shake my legs spontaneously once in while. Does that count? I hope not. Below is an article regarding the medical treatment for RLS.
The condition, a disorder of the nerves, causes a tingling, itching sensation, and unexplained aches and pains in the lower limbs.
It has been estimated that it affects as many as 10% of the population.
The new drug, Mirapexin, has been approved for use by the European Medicines Agency to treat moderate or severe cases.
It has still to be approved by the UK authorities. There are currently no other medications licensed for the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in the UK.
RLS, also known as Ekbom’s syndrome, can affect one or both legs, and symptoms are sometimes felt in the arms as well.
They are most likely to be experienced at night, occasionally meaning the sufferer cannot fall asleep easily, and will often have a strong desire to get up and walk about.
Another symptom associated with RLS are involuntary leg movements, particularly when asleep, which can lead to the sufferer kicking out and waking either themselves or their sleeping partner.
US research found people with diabetes were at particular risk, as were those who did little exercise.
Some symptoms can be relieved by applying heat pads. The condition can also be prevented by cutting down on alcohol and caffeine.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Additional Info:
eMedicine: Restless Leg Syndrome
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