Free Article: RLS Syndrome

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When You Can't Stop Moving: RLS Syndrome
By Elizabeth Penning

A lot of us have bad habits, such as biting our fingernails, smoking or picking at our skin. Most of the time, these are voluntary habits, and we can choose to quit them when we want. There are some habits, however, that is not voluntary and can impede on the daily life. Restless leg syndrome, or commonly referred to as RLS syndrome, is a prime example of when shaking or shifting our legs is a result of discomfort. There are a lot of questions regarding RLS syndrome, and below is some background on the disorder, why it occurs and what can be done about it.

What Is RLS?

Rls syndrome is a neurological disorder that creates a feeling of burning, crawling or tugging in the legs. These sensations range from being mildly annoying to sometimes painful, and are alleviated with the legs are in motion. Thus, RLS syndrome happens mainly at night, when the body is supposed to be at rest, the irritable sensation comes, and the only way to relieve it is to shake or move the legs. RLS syndrome can cause sleep deprivation, which can lead to an inability for maintaining one's daily activities such as work and personal relationships. There are no independent causes for RLS syndrome, or even a solid reason for why it occurs. It can be aggravated by an existing disorder or disease, such as kidney failure, diabetes, anemia, and other sorts of chronic diseases. Medications such as anti-psychotic, anti-nausea and other prescriptions also bear the side effect of restless legs.

Treatment

For RLS syndrome, there is not one medication that is prescribed to relieve the symptoms. Usually, if your symptoms are severe, your physician will prescribe a dosage of depressant medication, such as benzodiazepines to help ease the restlessness. If your symptoms are milder, then your doctor will recommend that you cut back on caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. He or she will also suggest that you regulate your sleep pattern, exercise regularly and start taking supplements such as iron and folate. Heating pads and warm baths have also been proven to help alleviate RLS syndrome. Because RLS could be a sign of an underlying disease, your doctor may run some tests to see if you are suffering from a disorder that may be causing restless legs. In the end, depending upon the severity of your restless legs, it would be wise to consult your doctor on what to do, if they are causing difficulty in your life.

Author Details:
Elizabeth Penning, copywriter for various websites including, Natural Deodorant and The A to Z of with her main interests being holistic medicine and all things natural.

Article Source: Free Health Articles

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