The Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome
There’s often no known cause of RLS. Some researchers believe that the condition may be due to the imbalance of the chemical dopamine in the brain. The purpose of the chemical dopamine is to send the messages that control the muscle movement. Researchers also …show more content…
The RLS and depression symptoms may also be overlapped. In a study, RLS patients demonstrated higher anxiety and depression scores.
Anxiety and stress are also big triggers of RLS. That is why yoga or deep breathing may be suggested to patients with RLS.
The Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
Symptoms of restless leg syndrome may be severe or mild, depending on the severity or frequency of these symptoms or how much disturbance it causes the person. These symptoms include the uncomfortable itchy or creepy crawly feeling in the leg, especially when sitting or lying. Some people with RLS report that they feel as if there are pins and needles in their legs and the symptoms may worsen during the night or evening.
The Diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome
For the diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome, the doctor may conduct a neurological and physical exam to the patient. To determine if there is iron deficiency, blood tests may also be ordered. This will help rule out the possible causes and triggers of the RLS. Aside from this, the patient may also be referred to a sleep specialist, where the doctors will study the possibility of having a sleep disorder. Although in most cases, a sleep study is not