Recommendations to Relieve Restless Legs Syndrome

Associate Professor from Memorial Ankara Hospital Neurology Department. Dr. Nilgül Yardimci gave information about restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a chronic and progressive movement disorder that occurs with the urge or need to move the legs. Stating that it is seen twice as often in women compared to men, Assoc. Dr. "It is also more common in those who do sports less than 3 hours a month and those who smoke," said Nilgül Yanık.

Stating that there are two types of restless legs syndrome, primary (idiopathic) and secondary (secondary), Assoc. Dr. "Idiopathic restless legs syndrome, which is thought to be hereditary and does not have any underlying disease, constitutes 70-80 percent of all cases. More than half of the first-degree relatives of these patients also have the same disorder. In idiopathic RLS, the disease starts at an earlier age and is usually diagnosed before the age of 45. But it progresses more slowly than the other type.” he said.

In secondary (secondary) restless legs syndrome, various clinical conditions can lead to this disease. Stating that iron deficiency, pregnancy and end-stage renal failure are among these findings, Assoc. Dr. Nilgül Yavaş said, “The common point of secondary causes is iron metabolism disorder. restless legs syndrome; While it is observed more frequently in some rheumatological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjögren's Syndrome (SjS), arm, leg and joint pain can also be seen in patients with RLS. In addition, restless legs syndrome is more common in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. used the phrases.

Assoc. Dr. “These symptoms, which are described as an uncomfortable feeling by the patients, mostly increase while resting and before going to sleep at night and cause patients to wake up from sleep. The diagnosis of restless legs syndrome is made according to the symptoms, patient history, test and examination results.

Restless legs syndrome, which can be confused with anxiety, depression or sleep disorder due to the similarity of the symptoms, usually occurs in middle and advanced age. Assoc. Dr. Nilgül Yardimci continued:

“The treatment of restless legs syndrome is divided into two as medicated and non-drug treatment. Although drug-free treatment methods work in patients with mild symptoms, medical treatment is often needed in patients with moderate-to-severe complaints. In addition, in the type of RLS, in which the underlying cause is determined, treatments applied for the cause also help to eliminate the symptoms.”

Assoc. Dr. Nilgüluygun suggested that the following life changes should be made before drug treatment in patients with mild RLS symptoms:

• Engaging in light-to-moderate physical activity, such as stretching exercises, before going to sleep
• Taking hot baths and showers
• Engaging in activities that increase mental activity such as computer games and puzzles during rest
• Keep the bedroom cool and wear comfortable pajamas
• Going to sleep at the same time and waking up at the same time and creating a regular sleep pattern such as not sleeping during the day
• Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, antihistamines, antiemetics, antipsychotics and antidepressants with antidopaminergic activity
• Doing activities that require rest for a long time, such as airplane travel or watching movies, in the morning, and activities that reduce complaints, such as housework or exercise, late in the day.