Causes of restless legs syndrome and its treatment options

Causes

This disease is also called restless legs syndrome. Modern medicine has not identified the exact causes of the problem. But it is believed that the causes of restless legs syndrome are associated with diseases of the nervous system. In this case, treatment of the underlying disease is required. The causes of heavy legs in women are usually associated with unsuitable shoes or heavy loads. Often the disease appears from:

• some medications;
• physical activity, constant fatigue;
• excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks and foods;
• vitamin deficiency;
• disorders of the thyroid gland;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• nervous disorders, depression, stress;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pathologies of the spine and spinal cord;
• kidney or liver damage;
• operations on various internal organs;
• multiple sclerosis;
• porphyria;
• Parkinson's disease;
• alcoholism, smoking, drug addiction.

The list is quite large and varied; often the disease appears during a normal pregnancy due to iron deficiency anemia, lack of magnesium, severe excitability, and hormonal changes. Therefore, during the examination, the assistance of several doctors is required. The symptoms of restless legs syndrome vary depending on the cause.

Sometimes there are several provoking factors. Even uncomfortable shoes can lead to this syndrome. Therefore, it is very important to wear something that does not cause discomfort. Many women wear high heels for the sake of beauty. In this case, you should choose something more practical. Excessive stress on the legs also leads to the syndrome.

Treatment methods depend on the cause of the syndrome. For example, if the whole point is vitamin deficiency, then it is necessary to compensate for the lack of vitamins with the help of products and special pharmacy complexes. Then the state will be restored. And if it’s all about nervous disorders, then first you should normalize your general well-being.

Restless legs syndrome during pregnancy

During pregnancy, RLS worsens if it was diagnosed before. Sometimes it leads to longer labor and the need for a caesarean section. However, pregnancy itself can cause discomfort in the limbs. Manifestations are especially likely in the third trimester.

It is not known for certain how pregnancy and RLS are related, but several factors are believed to play a role:

low in minerals or vitamins such as iron and folic acid;

poor sleep or lack thereof as a result of changes in hormonal levels: dopamine fluctuations, increased estrogen levels;

increased sensitivity of organs.

Most drugs used to treat the syndrome have not been tested for use in pregnant women. Since their effect on the fetus has not been studied, doctors prescribe dietary supplements or opioid drugs for a short period. In severe cases of iron deficiency, the vitamin is administered intravenously through a drip.

Signs

Restless legs syndrome usually occurs at night. The main symptom is involuntary rhythmic muscle contraction. The arms can also move. Whatever the reasons for heavy legs in women, several unpleasant symptoms may occur.

At the initial stage of the disease, the following is likely to occur:

• tingling in the legs;
• sensations of “moving goosebumps”;
• pressure in the calves or knees;
• desire to move and move the legs to relieve discomfort.

At first, a person does not attach importance to these signs and associates them not with the disease, but with fatigue. But the discomfort intensifies, pain and cramps occur, the disease reaches a stage when there is no restful sleep. Unpleasant sensations make it difficult to sleep. The person will be irritable, nervous, tired, because he does not rest fully.

If the cause is a disease of an internal organ, the symptoms are supplemented by pain in the part of the body that is affected by the main disease. Signs of restless legs syndrome may disappear when a person moves, but worsen when at rest.

How to help your child calm down?

From the age of 3, a child can take, for example, a children's calming vitamin complex in the form of gummy bears “Baby Formula Teddy Bears” from. They contain glycine (it is rare to find it in the form of gummies, as in this preparation), magnesium and vitamin B6, enhanced by soothing extracts of lemon balm and mint. They help increase the child’s concentration during stress, have a calming effect, and help reduce excitability. When the child is awake, they help improve concentration and perseverance, and at night they help promote restful sleep. This effect is achieved through a balanced selection of components.

Their great advantage is that children will accept them more readily in the form of tasty marmalade lozenges. "Baby formula Mishka Calm" are intended for children from 3 years of age for a course of treatment. They are produced according to the international GMP quality standard from high quality ingredients, without GMOs, artificial colors and flavors.

Specification

Restless legs syndrome is divided into 2 types:

1. Idiopathic syndrome. This phenomenon has not been fully studied, but it is believed that the disease occurs more often in young patients under 30 years of age. There is no connection with concomitant diseases. This syndrome is observed in a person throughout his life, periods of remission and exacerbation alternate. The disease arises from genetic predisposition, pathologies of the nervous system, and psychological influence.
2. Symptomatic syndrome. It is considered a consequence of another illness. It can be eliminated if you get rid of the cause. Pathology occurs with anemia, diabetes, thyroid disease, and joint diseases.

Symptomatic syndrome is more often observed after 40 years. Women are most susceptible to it during pregnancy. The disease occurs in 16% of pregnant women. There is speculation that it can be transmitted in utero.

Diagnostics

Restless legs syndrome is detected at an early stage by a comprehensive examination. It is necessary to establish the cause in order to exclude spurious factors. Everything is complicated by the fact that leg movements can interfere with a person’s sleep, but for a long time he does not even know about the disease.

Usually the signs are detected by those who are near the sick person. They pay attention to movements and twitching, decreased activity, and irritability. If suspicious symptoms are detected, polysomnography is performed. The procedure allows you to record all human movements during sleep. Then the records are analyzed, which makes it possible to identify whether there is a syndrome.

A blood test is also done to determine the cause. The presence of the syndrome is detected by iron and magnesium. The thyroid gland must be checked.

How does restless legs syndrome manifest?

• Unpleasant sensations in the legs;
• The need to move the legs;
• Inability to find a comfortable position

People with this disorder are conspicuous by their inability (or resistance) to sit still. Even if this is possible, then the legs are constantly in motion (trampling, bending and straightening at the joints) or you constantly have to massage (knead) the hips, legs and feet. They have a hard time queuing. And before falling asleep, it takes a long time to find a position that is comfortable for your legs in order to calm down. Many people who suffer from this disease are burdened by their unpleasant condition and try to hide it, contain it, while having difficulty withstanding the period of forcibly restraining their legs from moving.

Treatment

What to do if your leg hurts? Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. If the syndrome appears after surgery, observation by a neurologist and surgeon is required. And if the reason is alcoholism or drug addiction, you need the help of a narcologist and psychotherapist.

The following remedies must be prescribed:

1. Calming drops or tablets, antidepressants - “Novopassit”.
2. Painkillers if the disease is in advanced form.
3. Anticonvulsants.

If the symptoms are severe, then serious medications are used. Treatment of restful legs syndrome is carried out with the help of Mirapex, Nozepam, Alprozol. The dosage and duration of therapy are prescribed by a doctor, since these are powerful antidepressants.

It is advisable not to use sleeping pills, as they put a person to sleep until the morning. They also lead to addiction and habit, but do not treat the underlying illness. Constantly using sleeping pills, the patient leads to a deterioration in his mental state. Over time, the dosage increases, which negatively affects health.

At home

What to do if your leg hurts? At home, symptoms decrease:

• physiotherapy – massage, acupuncture;
• therapeutic exercises;
• strict adherence to the regime.

To treat the syndrome, adequate nutrition is required. It is necessary to obtain not only vitamins, but also minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium). But this does not mean that you should overeat; on the contrary, excess weight aggravates the condition. Extra pounds need to be eliminated and not eat heavy, fatty foods at night.

During pregnancy, if this syndrome exists, you should take a multivitamin complex and eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. It is important that the menu is varied. Meat can be consumed, but only in boiled form. Chocolate contains a lot of caffeine, so it is better not to eat confectionery products and weaknesses with this product.

Although this treatment does not require hospitalization, sometimes it is advisable to undergo therapy in a hospital, since self-discipline is required when following the regimen and performing physical procedures. You should be prepared for long-term treatment.

Useful tips for parents to prevent insomnia in children

Restoring normal sleep in a child, even with the help of pharmacotherapy, will be ineffective if the bedroom does not have a favorable environment and a comfortable psychological atmosphere. In the fight against insomnia, parents should adhere to simple recommendations, which were voiced by the well-known Dr. Komarovsky in his program.

Strict and mandatory adherence to the daily routine. Young children develop habits quickly, so disrupting their routine can make it difficult for them to fall asleep. Developing an evening ritual will help cope with the problem and teach your child to go to bed at a certain time.

Microclimate in the bedroom. It plays an important role in the fight against insomnia. The child should fall asleep at a temperature of 16-20°C and a relative humidity of at least 50%. Before going to bed, the children's room must be ventilated, and in winter, use a humidifier.

Don't neglect your child's nutrition. A complete and varied diet will compensate for the lack of useful elements. In addition, eating certain foods will help activate the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. However, the baby needs to eat the last time 2 hours before bedtime, and the food should be light and healthy.

Attention should be paid to the child's physical activity. A long stay in the fresh air or active games indoors will help you use up all your energy and sleep peacefully at night. An hour before the evening ritual, it is necessary to create a peaceful atmosphere, avoiding overexcitement of the baby.

If a child has nightmares, parents should talk to him, explaining the processes of dream formation and their safety. Turning on a night light and a glass of warm milk at night will help calm the child's psyche and immerse the baby in a calm and long sleep.

Shoe selection

Since shoes are important for the comfort of your feet, you should choose them correctly. This will prevent fatigue and other unpleasant sensations. When buying shoes, you should consider the following rules:

1. It is advisable to wear low, wide heels.
2. Solid backs are required.
3. The sole and heel should be made of materials that provide shock absorption and alleviate pressure on the sole.
4. You should choose a wide and deep sock shape.
5. The platform distributes weight evenly and supports the entire foot.

Comfortable shoes have a soft insole that supports the natural shape of the foot. You should not choose synthetics. Insoles made of genuine leather or suede are most preferable as they protect against calluses.

It is better to choose shoes with heels that fit tightly to the foot. It must be measured before purchasing. You should not purchase shoes that need to be broken in. And if the product is purchased online, you need to inquire about return issues.

Folk remedies

Effective use of medicinal herbs and plants with a calming effect:

• valerian root;
• peony tincture;
• motherwort;
• oregano;
• hop.

But during pregnancy it is forbidden to use infusions and decoctions without authorization. To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to use a simple recipe: fresh honey is mixed in equal quantities with apple cider vinegar. The finished product is applied to the legs, after which a massage is performed with hands or a massager. After this, your feet should be washed with water. This mixture is also taken orally in the morning on an empty stomach, but is first diluted with warm water. For 1 liter of honey and vinegar, 100-120 ml of water is required.

Using regular baths you can eliminate pain and other symptoms of the syndrome. The temperature is chosen individually. Hot water suits some people, warm water suits others. It is advisable to perform baths at night.

Effective procedures

Measures you can follow at home to reduce symptoms include:

1. It is necessary to adjust your sleep schedule - go to bed and get up at the same time. If you have psychoneurological disorders, the doctor definitely recommends training your mind.
2. Physical exercises are effective. The main thing is that the load is moderate. During the day and before going to bed, you need to do exercise therapy and walk. Pilates, swimming, yoga, and stretching are suitable. And with very active sports, the symptoms may intensify, so running, jumping, and football are contraindicated.
3. Contrasting douches are useful. To do this, alternate cold and hot water.
4. At home you need to do interesting things. This could be drawing, knitting, reading. Thanks to the concentration of the release, tension is relieved.
5. You need to massage your feet regularly. Rubbing will help reduce discomfort and make it easier to fall asleep.

It's better to sleep in cotton socks. There is an opinion that socks made of sheep wool are useful.

Fundamental Factors

When talking about this disease, you should immediately clarify that we are not talking about discomfort in the legs that occurs during the day, but about unpleasant sensations that bother a person specifically at night. Because of this, he begins to sleep poorly and becomes irritable. Symptoms of the disease may not immediately affect all lower limbs, but also individual parts of them, for example, legs or feet. In severe form, the syndrome can lead to disability, so it is very important to promptly identify and determine the causes of its development.

The following factors can provoke the occurrence of pathology:

• Taking certain medications.
• Systematic physical overexertion.
• Obesity.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Complete or partial dysfunction of the kidneys and liver.
• Joint diseases.
• Neurological disorders.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Spinal cord lesions.
• Porphyria.
• Surgical interventions.
• Parkinson's disease.
• Smoking.
• Varicose veins, etc.

There are many factors that can cause restless legs syndrome. In some people, it develops during pregnancy, deficiency of iron, potassium and magnesium in the body, hormonal disorders, frequent worries and depression. And in order to prescribe adequate treatment, it is necessary to first accurately establish the root cause of the disease. And this can only be done through a comprehensive examination.

How to prevent it?

This disease cannot be completely cured. Prevention of restless legs syndrome involves quitting smoking and alcohol. It is necessary to exercise, think positively, remain calm, and not lead to depression.

There is no consensus on how to eliminate unpleasant night attacks. Everyone uses their own methods. But as a preventative measure you need:

• exclude late dinner;
• To do yoga;
• swim;
• take vitamins in spring and autumn;
• take frequent breaks from work;
• walk before bedtime;
• wear cotton clothes.

Idiopathic syndrome is manifested by a slow increase in symptoms. But its course is uneven; there may be periods of remission and worsening of symptoms. The latter appear from heavy loads, stress, caffeine-containing products, and pregnancy. Long-term remissions are observed in 15% of patients. With proper treatment, symptoms can be reduced and quality of life improved.