Restless Leg Syndrome: What It Is and How You Can Treat ItStanding on your feet all day at work or trekking through a theme park can cause your legs to feel sore and tired. If that sounds familiar, then you know there’s hardly anything better than kicking back on the couch to relax! However, if you experience extreme discomfort or a painful “pulling” or “tugging” sensation in your legs, a tiring day may not be the only culprit. What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?Sitting or lying down does little to relieve leg discomfort in people with restless leg syndrome—sometimes known as RLS—a neurological condition that is characterized by throbbing, pulling, or other unpleasant sensations in the legs. The overwhelming urge to move the legs to stop these feelings is another common characteristic of RLS. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that these feelings often occur at night when a person is relaxing or trying to fall asleep. The symptoms may even worsen during the night, which is why most people with restless leg syndrome have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. RLS-induced insomnia and sleep deprivation can make staying awake at work and even performing normal everyday activities a challenge. How Restless Leg Syndrome Is TreatedRestless leg syndrome is currently diagnosed by its symptoms because there are no tests available to confirm its presence. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults. Although RLS is sometimes seen in cases where a patient is pregnant, has diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, or another health condition, its cause is not known in most patients. There is no known cure for restless leg syndrome, but there are a few ways to get relief:
Want to read more about restless leg syndrome? Visit Blake Medical Center’s free online Health Information encyclopedia. If you need to find a doctor in your area, call our free physician referral service, Consult-A-Nurse® at 1-888-359-3552. Related Post:
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Just a Headache?
We all get headaches from time to time. They are uncomfortable and can be annoying, but they typically go away with a bit of rest or an over-the-counter pain medication. Headaches can be triggered by a variety of things including stress, depression, or anxiety, but they can also be related to foods such as cheese or chocolate and even caffeine. Tension Headaches The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that tension headaches—pain in the head, scalp or neck associated with muscle tightness—are the most common form of headache. A few typical causes of tension headaches include:
Cluster Headaches NIH explains that cluster headaches involve pain on one side of the head. Cluster headaches are typically chronic, meaning that they occur regularly for periods of time, ranging from as long as one week to one year. Research shows that cluster headaches might be related to the body’s release of serotonin, and the following factors might trigger cluster headaches:
Migraines Migraine headaches are another common type of headache. Migraines are typically accompanied by symptoms like nausea or vomiting and light sensitivity. NIH explains that migraines are caused by abnormal brain activity triggered by stress, foods, or environmental factors. Migraines may be caused by:
Many people mistakenly assume that any bad headache is a migraine, but this migraine fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Women’s Health can help you determine whether you are having a migraine or a bad tension headache. Rare Causes of Headache Fortunately, serious causes of headaches are rare, but they can include the following:
If you experience frequent or severe headaches, be sure to consult with a doctor. Lifestyle changes may help you see noticeable results in the frequency and intensity of your headaches. Blake Medical Center’s Find a Physician tool can provide suggestions based on specialty and your location. You can also contact our free Consult-A-Nurse® service at 1-888-359-3552 for referrals and general health information.
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