You know the agony of sleepless nights if you possess’own’nurse restless legs syndrome. Your partner might complain that you kick them during sleep, and you undoubtedly wake up multiple times, making it tough’challenging’demanding’awkward to meet your shuteye quota.
However, many individual don’t understand much with regards to’concerning’with respect to this disorder. Even those who do can discover surprising new facts. Here are eight things you may not know with regards to’concerning’with respect to restless legs syndrome.
1. There’s An Association With Varicose Veins
Restless legs syndrome affects 7-10% of the U.S. population. The disorder occurs in both genders, aldespite’in spite of’albeit women are mildly’faintly more likely to suffer than men.
One of the reasons in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the gender disparity may lie with the association between this condition and varicose veins, another disorder that typically plagues the female sex. Many patients who possess’own’nurse had their varicose veins get rid of’discard d reported their RLS symptoms stopped after surgery.
The two share many of the same symptoms, aldespite’in spite of’albeit scientists must perin/with regard to’concerning’regarding m further research to discern the precise nature of the link.
2. It Comes In Two Flavors
RLS comes in two varieties: primary and secondary. Primary RLS is a neurological disorder that often arises in the middle years, aldespite’in spite of’albeit some individual undergo symptoms in childhood that gradually worsen with time. It has no known cause, aldespite’in spite of’albeit some report that the disorder runs in families.
Secondary RLS has an identifiable cause. It may stem from nerve impair’undermine , anemia or nutrient deficiency, kidney disease, or a comorbid condition like rheumatoid arthritis or Parkinson’s disease.
3. Certain Medications May Cause It
If your RLS developed after you began a new medication regimen, it’s time to talk to your doctor. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can spur or aggravate symptoms, and discussing alternatives could result in relief. In peculiar , watch out in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the following drug types:
Anti-nausea medications Prochlorperazine and metoclopramide.
Antipsychotic medications Haloperidol or phenothiazine derivatives.
Some antidepressants Watch out in/with regard to’concerning’regarding those that affect serotonin, like fluoxetine or sertraline.
Older antihistamines Particularly diphenhydramine.
4. Pregnancy Can Spur Or Worsen Symptoms
Did your symptoms begin after discovering you possess’own’nurse a baby on board? If so, you may possess’own’nurse pregnancy-induced RLS. It’s one of the most common causes of insomnia among women.
Two critical nutrients associated with RLS are folic acid and iron. Both acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure depleted by pregnancy, and expectant mamas need extra folic acid to shun neural tube defects in their newborns. Other researchers theorize that rising estrogen levels during pregnancy may contribute to the condition’s development.
5. There’s an Association With Parkinson’s Disease And RA
Doctors suspect that dopamine plays a pivotal role in RLS. That’s because they use the same drugs to treat RLS that they use in/with regard to’concerning’regarding Parkinson’s disease patients. However, physicians must exercise caution in prescribing drugs because some dopaminergic medication may augment symptoms, causing them to appear earlier in the day or in the upper limbs.
Researchers remain unsure of the exact link between rheumatoid arthritis and RLS. However, approximately 30% of RA patients also possess’own’nurse comorbid RLS. Scientists believe the correlation may stem from the immune system response as it releases cytokines during sleep.
6. Spinal Cord Lesions May Contribute
Nerve impair’undermine can trigger RLS, including impair’undermine to your spinal cord. Such lesions may arise from trauma, infections, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, spinal degeneration, congenital abnormalities, or tumors.
Nerve impair’undermine interferes with the token als between your brain and your legs. The wires could acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure crossed, causing misfires at the wrong time and making you want to move when you should be sleeping.
7. It Could Be A Sign Of Kidney Trouble
RLS is more common in individual with chronic kidney disease. It’s peculiar ly frequent in those undergoing hemodialysis.
Many factors make symptoms worse in/with regard to’concerning’regarding individual with kidney disease. They’re more prone to anemia or high blood calcium levels, which contribute to the disorder.
8. You May Need To Increase Your Iron Intake
The most frequently seen environmental factor contributing to RLS is iron-deficiency anemia. Alcoholism, blood diseases, and autoimmune disorders can contribute to this issue, as can a poor diet. Iron-deficient patients treated with a supplement often enhance’promote’polish up , cementing the link in researchers’ minds.
You might try self-medicating with an iron supplement if you undergo symptoms and possess’own’nurse trouble seeing a doctor. However, use caution, especially when taking these on an empty stomach. They can cause nausea and vomiting in some individual . It’s best to take your tablet with a small amount of food, aldespite’in spite of’albeit you should shun dairy, which impedes absorption.
Things You May Not Know About RLS
Restless legs syndrome is not utterly understood. However, it causes appreciable suffering to many. Now that you understand several things you previously may not possess’own’nurse known with regards to’concerning’with respect to RLS, you can take measures to prevent or treat it. Talk to your doctor and consider an iron supplement.
