What is restless legs syndrome? Symptoms and treatments for tingling toes condition
RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME affects one in 10 people, and causes an irresistible urge to move your legs, and possibly your arms.
Chiropractor explains how to deal with restless leg syndrome
Patients of restless legs syndrome - or Willis-Ekbom disease, as it’s sometimes known - can experience a creeping sensation in their legs, all the way up from their feet to their thighs.
The feeling makes the patient twitch their legs, and it can be worse in the evenings.
It’s a condition of the nervous system, and can disrupt a person’s everyday life, according to the NHS.
Mild cases of the condition don’t require any treatment, but if symptoms are severe, it could be a sign of an iron deficiency.
Restless legs syndrome affects one in 10 people
Symptoms of restless legs syndrome include a tingling, burning or itching sensation in the legs, arms, chest or face.
Patients have described the sensation as feeling like fizzy water is inside their blood vessels, according to the NHS.
It can also cause a painful, cramping feeling in the legs, particularly in the calves.
About 80 per cent of sufferers also have periodic limb movements in sleep, whereby legs will twitch subconsciously, usually every 10 to 60 seconds.
Restless legs syndrome could be caused by an iron deficiency
The condition could be caused by a deficiency in the hormone dopamine.
Dopamine acts a deliveryman between the brain and the nervous system. It helps to control movement and muscle activity.
But, if nerve cells become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced. That means muscles twitch uncontrollably.
In most cases, however, the exact cause of restless legs syndrome is unknown. This is known as primary restless legs syndrome.
It can also be triggered by other long-term health conditions, including chronic kidney disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Getting extra sleep could ease the symptoms of restless legs syndrome
Making some lifestyle changes could help to relieve the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
Getting extra sleep could help to ease symptoms. Having a regular sleeping schedule and avoiding caffeine before bed was recommended by the NHS.
Other lifestyle changes include exercising regularly, quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol in the evening.
When symptoms rear their head, it’s recommended to massage your legs, and enjoy a hot bath in the evening.