RESTLESS

Our Dr tells you the real cause behind that uncontrollable urge to ‘take a walk’ before you sleep or move your legs.

Getting up from your desk every now and then ‘to have chai’? Laughing off your spouse’s complaints about hyper movements of your legs in your sleep? Well, you may want to look at your restless behaviour more seriously because you might be a victim of the ‘Restless Legs Syndrome’ (RLS).

RESTLESS WHAT?
RLS is often a lifelong disorder that begins in your middle age. While the exact cause is not known, fingers have been pointed at brain iron deficiency. Primarily because iron is required for the synthesis of dopamine in the brain. Though there are no tests that can prove presence of RLS, if you have the following symptoms, consider treatment:

• An uncomfortable sensation in the legs, (generally between knees and ankles) especially in the evenings, causing an urge to move the legs which brings temporary relief.

• Inability to sit and pace about.

• Discomfort that increases during inactivity and rises to an extent that you can neither sit still or lie down.

• Even if you fall asleep, you are troubled by another symptom, Periodic Leg Movement in Sleep (PLMS), consisting of a repetitive flexion of the legs.

CAUSES

RLS may be primary or secondary. Primary or idiopathic RLS is a lifelong disorder and often hereditary. It’s more common in women and frequently gets aggravated during pregnancy. An Indian study found that RLS was present in approximately 8 per cent of Parkinson’s Disease patients. Other causes of secondary RLS include diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure and neuropathies.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO

Treatment for RLS needs to be given over a prolonged period. However, it’s effective enough to eradicate all symptoms. Among the host of medications, the most useful ones are the dopamine agonists (the newer non-ergot dopamine agonists are preferred). Iron supplements are given to those with iron deficiency and secondary causes are treated.

AVOID
• Drugs such as antidepressants, calcium channel-blockers etc.
• Caffeine, alcohol and smoking to ensure that the medications work optimally.