Adam Percey

What is it?  Odd sensations while at rest.  A tickle  Crawling  Yawn  An itch  Throbbing  Pulling  Creeping Moving the body part relieves the discomfort, for a short time. RLS sufferers may pace the floor, constantly move their legs while sitting, and toss and turn in bed. Symptoms are worse at night with a distinct symptom-free period in the early morning, allowing for more refreshing sleep at that time.

NIH Criteria as of 2003  An urge to move the limbs with or without sensations.  Improvement with activity. Many patients find relief when moving and the relief continues while they are moving. In more severe RLS this relief of symptoms may not be complete or the symptoms may reappear when the movement ceases.  Worsening at rest. Patients may describe being the most affected when sitting for a long period of time, such as when traveling in a car or airplane, attending a meeting, or watching a performance. An increased level of mental awareness may help reduce these symptoms.  Worsening in the evening or night. Patients with mild or moderate RLS show a clear circadian rhythm to their symptoms, with an increase in sensory symptoms and restlessness in the evening and into the night.

Why?  Dopamine  Iron System Genetics

Treatments  Levodopa, a pro-drug of dopamine that can cross the blood-brain barrier and is metabolized in the brain into dopamine.  Removing caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol from there diet.  varicose veins are often thought to be the cause, if so then surgery to repair the circulation may be considered.  Quitting smoking can ease systems.  Exercise

Interesting  10% of the US population have RLS  About 2-3% of adults = 5million people.  Twice as high in women  80 percent of people with RLS also experience periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS).  RLS often gets worse during pregnancy.

Any Questions?

Work cited  Unknown, Initials. (2011). Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS. Medicinenet. Retrieved May 19, 2011, from ndrome/article.htm ndrome/article.htm