Medications that have been shown to be helpful for RLS include several that affect a chemical in your brain called dopamine. Dopamine's job is to send messages that control muscle movement from your brain to your body. Researchers suspect that RLS may be linked to an imbalance in dopamine.
Using drugs that stimulate dopamine receptors in the brain, such as ropinirole, pramipexole or rotigotine, can help control RLS symptoms. Side effects of dopamine medications, however, may include nausea, sedation or, rarely, certain compulsive behaviors such as shopping or gambling. Caution and long-term follow-up for the use of these medications is necessary. Certain medications used to treat painful nerve conditions and epilepsy, such as gabapentin, also may effectively treat RLS. Other prescription drugs, including opioid analgesics, muscle relaxants and sleep medications, are sometimes used to help combat RLS symptoms as well.
Be aware that certain medications can make RLS symptoms worse, including some antidepressants and antinausea drugs. Review with your doctor a list of the medications you are currently taking. Your doctor may recommend substitutes, as needed, to help manage RLS. If restless legs syndrome disrupts your daily life or hurts your overall quality of life, consider seeking specialty care. A sleep medicine physician or a neurologist can evaluate your condition and work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your situation. Brain structure linked to symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
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Restless legs syndrome - Treatment - NHS
Brain structure linked to symptoms of restless legs syndrome April 25, People with restless legs syndrome may have changes in a portion of the brain that processes sensory information, according to a study published in the April 25, , online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the Restless legs syndrome brain stimulation study supports motor cortex 'excitability' as a cause August 29, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say new experiments using magnetic pulse brain stimulation on people with moderate to severe restless legs syndrome RLS have added to evidence that the condition is due to excitability Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
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Diagnosis Your doctor will take your medical history and ask for a description of your symptoms. You have a strong, often irresistible urge to move your legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable sensations typically described as crawling, creeping, cramping, tingling or pulling. Your symptoms start or get worse when you're resting, such as sitting or lying down. Your symptoms are partially or temporarily relieved by activity, such as walking or stretching. Your symptoms are worse at night.
Symptoms can't be explained solely by another medical or behavioral condition. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. References Restless legs syndrome. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Treatment of restless leg syndrome in adults. Garcia-Borreguero D, et al. Winkelman JW, et al.
How is restless legs syndrome diagnosed? How is restless legs syndrome treated? What is the prognosis for people with restless legs syndrome? What research is being done? Where can I get more information? Restless legs syndrome RLS , also called Willis-Ekbom Disease, causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. Symptoms commonly occur in the late afternoon or evening hours, and are often most severe at night when a person is resting, such as sitting or lying in bed.
They also may occur when someone is inactive and sitting for extended periods for example, when taking a trip by plane or watching a movie. Since symptoms can increase in severity during the night, it could become difficult to fall asleep or return to sleep after waking up. Moving the legs or walking typically relieves the discomfort but the sensations often recur once the movement stops.
RLS is classified as a sleep disorder since the symptoms are triggered by resting and attempting to sleep, and as a movement disorder, since people are forced to move their legs in order to relieve symptoms. It is, however, best characterized as a neurological sensory disorder with symptoms that are produced from within the brain itself.
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RLS is one of several disorders that can cause exhaustion and daytime sleepiness, which can strongly affect mood, concentration, job and school performance, and personal relationships. Many people with RLS report they are often unable to concentrate, have impaired memory, or fail to accomplish daily tasks. Untreated moderate to severe RLS can lead to about a 20 percent decrease in work productivity and can contribute to depression and anxiety.
It also can make traveling difficult. It is estimated that up to percent of the U. RLS occurs in both men and women, although women are more likely to have it than men. It may begin at any age. Many individuals who are severely affected are middle-aged or older, and the symptoms typically become more frequent and last longer with age. PLMS is characterized by involuntary leg and sometimes arm twitching or jerking movements during sleep that typically occur every 15 to 40 seconds, sometimes throughout the night.
Fortunately, most cases of RLS can be treated with non-drug therapies and if necessary, medications. People with RLS feel the irresistible urge to move, which is accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in their lower limbs that are unlike normal sensations experienced by people without the disorder.
Treatment for restless legs syndrome focuses on relieving the symptoms
The sensations in their legs are often difficult to define but may be described as aching throbbing, pulling, itching, crawling, or creeping. These sensations less commonly affect the arms, and rarely the chest or head. Although the sensations can occur on just one side of the body, they most often affect both sides. They can also alternate between sides.
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The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. Because moving the legs or other affected parts of the body relieves the discomfort, people with RLS often keep their legs in motion to minimize or prevent the sensations. They may pace the floor, constantly move their legs while sitting, and toss and turn in bed. A classic feature of RLS is that the symptoms are worse at night with a distinct symptom-free period in the early morning, allowing for more refreshing sleep at that time.
Some people with RLS have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. They may also note a worsening of symptoms if their sleep is further reduced by events or activity. RLS symptoms may vary from day to day, in severity and frequency, and from person to person.
In moderately severe cases, symptoms occur only once or twice a week but often result in significant delay of sleep onset, with some disruption of daytime function. In severe cases of RLS, the symptoms occur more than twice a week and result in burdensome interruption of sleep and impairment of daytime function. People with RLS can sometimes experience remissions—spontaneous improvement over a period of weeks or months before symptoms reappear—usually during the early stages of the disorder.