- What is restless leg syndrome (or restless legs)?
- What Causes Restless Legs?
- Diagnosis: how do you know if you have restless legs?
- What are the symptoms of restless legs?
- What to do ? What treatments?
- How to relieve restless legs at night?
- What Foods Promote Restless Legs?
What is restless leg syndrome (or restless legs)?
“restless leg syndrome, called since 2011 Willis-Ekbom disease is a chronic neurological disease which manifests itself by an urgent need to move (especially the lower limbs but sometimes also the upper limbs) because of unpleasant or even painful sensations, in the evening, at night and at rest preferentially”, defines Dr. Sandrine Launois, pulmonologist specialist in sleep (Medical Center for Sleep Les Sablons Neuilly-sur-Seine) and Secretary General of the National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance (INSV). People who have it and by extension doctors use the term “impatience”.
What Causes Restless Legs?
Restless legs syndrome can be secondary, that is to say it is due to a very favorable factor: iron deficiency, pregnancy, certain diseases that give neuropathies of the legs and feet, diabetes above all, and taking a number of medications. “The most represented class is that of anti-depressants”, says the pulmonologist.
When the disease is said to be primary, the genetic factor is important. “There is often a family history, says Dr. Launois. On a particular terrain, on the occasion of significant stress, poor sleep… The syndrome will then express itself”, she explains. The mechanisms of the disease are not yet fully understood but “it seems that there is a dopamine synthesis deficit linked to a lack of iron in the gray matter (the body needs iron to make dopamine)”, says Dr. Launois.
Read also: Restless legs syndrome: what if it came from the brain?
Diagnosis: how do you know if you have restless legs?
THE diagnosis of restless legs syndrome is clinical. “It is based on the description of the symptoms by the patient”, explains Dr. Launois. The diagnostic criteria are: the need to move the lower limbs, more or less accompanied by unpleasant sensations, especially in the evening with improvement by movement.
What are the symptoms of restless legs?
“The main symptom of restless legs is significant sleep disturbances : people have difficulty falling asleep, waking up with difficulty falling back to sleep”, informs Dr. Launois. In some people, involuntary leg movements occur. “Patients describe unpleasant, even painful sensations: sensations of ants climbing on the legs, of things crawling in the skin…”, describes the doctor.
They can’t sit still. Movement temporarily improves symptoms. There are all degrees of severity: some people have symptoms when they are stressed or when it is very hot; others come to think about suicide. “Depression and the risk of suicide are increased in people who have a severe form of this syndrome”, informs Dr. Launois.
What to do ? What treatments?
The first stage of treatment is patient information. “When the person knows what he has, it lowers the nervous tension”, explains Dr. Launois. It is then necessary to avoid what can exacerbate impatience: consumption of alcohol (especially white wine and champagne), nicotine or caffeine.
Physical activity may make symptoms worse in some people but improve them in others, or have no positive or negative effect in others. It is also important to fight against stress. “We feel the symptoms more acutely when we are stressed”, explains Dr. Launois. These rules of life may be sufficient for mild to moderate forms.
When a cause is present, such as iron deficiency, treating it with iron recharging and dietary advice improves symptoms. If restless legs syndrome is related to pregnancy, symptoms disappear after delivery but may recur. When drugs are involved, the treatment can be changed, only when possible (the benefit/risk balance is studied).
Painful crises can be treated with paracetamol, sometimes combined with codeine. When the symptoms are more severe, heavier drugs can be used: dopamine agonists (same drug as for Parkinson’s disease). “These drugs are given at the lowest possible dose because of the side effects,” says the pulmonologist. The person taking these medications should be monitored by a sleep doctor. Other drugs used in restless legs syndrome are pregabalin, a drug used for other neuropathies, anti-epileptics, or opiates (oxycodone for example) for people with severe symptoms not relieved by other medicines. “There is research, in particular at the Garches hospital, on transcranial magnetic stimulation for Restless Leg Syndrome”, teaches the pulmonologist.
Are there any effective home remedies against JSR? “Of the cold showers on the calvesthe application on the legs of a cooling cream or Essential Oil of Lavender for example can help”, says Dr. Sandrine Launois. Read also: Restless legs: 7 natural tips to relieve them.
Can the JSR syndrome disappear? The disease is fluctuating. It can disappear after an iron refill in case of anemia or after pregnancy. “However, it reflects favorable ground and there is a risk that it could start again,” informs Dr. Launois.
Why is it a daily handicap? Severe restless legs syndrome can be extremely disabling. “Sleep disorders have an impact on mood and quality of life. In addition, for some people it is impossible to travel by bus, to go to the theater or the cinema, even sometimes with friends”, describes the doctor. To the handicap can be added the lack of recognition of the medical profession. “Some people may think they are crazy,” emphasizes Dr. Sandrine Launois. Mental health should therefore not be overlooked in the management of restless legs.
How to relieve restless legs at night?
Small gestures can improve the symptoms of restlessness such as stretching (bend the foot towards the knee). “Taking CBD can help”, says Dr. Launois. However, beware of this positive drug checks.
What Foods Promote Restless Legs?
Chocolate, coffee, white spirits (white wine, champagne)… Foods trigger restless leg attacks in some people. “We don’t always have an explanation biological”, emphasizes the doctor. Foods that trigger seizures should be avoided.
To consult:
The website of the France-Ekbom Association
Read also:
- Heat, storms… How does the outside temperature and humidity affect sleep?
- Restless legs syndrome: personalized treatment needed
