Surprising Facts About Restless Leg Syndrome

You may have felt it – and yes there is a name for it! Restless Leg Syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a condition that results in an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. Restless Leg Syndrome’s sensations generally occur within the limb and are often described as crawling, creeping, pulling, throbbing, aching, itching, or electric. 

This uncomfortable sensation generally happens when you are sitting down or laying down and is mitigated temporarily when you move. But these sensations often worsen as you age and can disrupt sleep which may lead to other health complications. It is estimated that as many as 10% of those over the age of 65 have this neurological condition.

Talk with your doctor if you think you may have this syndrome as it can interfere with sleep and affect your quality of life. The Harley Institute in Atlanta has years of experience dealing with RLS. Call now for a free consultation.

Though we cannot diagnose your case before seeing you, we can offer some common information that may help. 

Iron Deficiency

There has been a plethora of research into understand Restless Leg Syndrome. According to the studies, the strongest risk factor associated with this disorder is iron deficiency – particularly in the brain. It has been reported that treatment of iron deficiency substantially improved, if not eliminated, the symptoms. Specifically, studies using MRI have shown iron insufficiencies in the substantia nigra, one of the brain regions where dopamine-producing cells reside. In fact, one study found a strong relationship between iron concentrations in this region and the intensity of Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms.

Dopamine System

Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Restless Leg Syndrome finds that there appears to be three factors which relate to the disorder: brain concentrations of iron as mentioned earlier, genetics, and brain dopamine concentrations. 

The RLS foundation has a Brain Bank to which RLS patients have posthumously donated their brains for study. Tissues from this Brain Bank show that dopamine receptors were decreased and proteins associated with dopamine production were increased. This increase in dopamine supply may be the brain’s response to the poor signal due to the decreased receptors.

Pregnancy

Nearly a third of women experience Restless Leg Syndrome. Scientists believe this is linked to lower folic acid and iron levels. There is also some evidence that rising levels of estrogen during pregnancy also contribute to RLS symptoms. Restless Leg Syndrome can make you more likely to have a longer labor or require a C-section. Luckily, there are treatment methods.

Treatment

Drugs such as Requip and Mirapex are typically used to treat restless leg syndrome but have not been studied extensively in pregnant women. Before deciding to take medication, however, we recommend you ask your doctor to check your iron levels and offer some other methods. An iron supplement may be enough to lighten the intensity of the symptoms to where you can sleep comfortably.

Another tried and tested method is vein therapy. According to the National Institute of Health, “venous procedures that correct superficial venous reflux should be considered as therapeutic treatment options with more definitive potential for patients with RLS.” The Harley Institute in Atlanta offers venous procedures that may be right for you.