Sensomotor disorders are a fairly common problem among the modern population. People with the so-called restless legs syndrome suffer from intermittent discomfort and pain in the legs, which, of course, affects the quality of their life. Unfortunately, patients with this deviation rarely receive the correct diagnosis and appropriate medical attention.
Restless legs syndrome and its causes
In fact, there are many reasons that can lead to disruption of normal sensorimotor activity. In some cases, there is heredity - here we are talking about the primary form of the disease. Such patients with restless legs syndrome face the main symptoms of the disease even at a young or even childhood age.
But most often the disease is secondary and occurs against the background of one or another adverse effect of the internal or external environment. First of all, pregnancy, uremia can be attributed to risk factors. In addition, the disease can be a complication of diseases of the thyroid gland, porphyria, rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, some people with restless legs syndrome also suffer from a deficiency of magnesium, iron, and some B vitamins.
The risk of developing such a pathology is increased among patients with obesity, chronic alcoholism, and radiculitis.
Restless Leg Syndrome: Symptoms
As mentioned above, the main symptom of this disease is discomfort in the lower extremities. And it is worth noting immediately that the sensation of tingling and soreness intensifies at rest: the symptoms are most pronounced at night. Any motor activity and contraction of the leg muscles reduces the degree of discomfort. That is why people with restless legs syndrome often unconsciously move their limbs in a dream.
In some patients, the disease progresses slowly, in some - too quickly. One way or another, at a certain phase, pain in the legs becomes almost unbearable. At night, patients wake up from discomfort, cannot take a comfortable position and suffer from insomnia. Naturally, the lack of normal sleep affects a person’s life. People with a similar problem complain of constant fatigue and drowsiness. At the same time, a person's working capacity decreases , difficulties with concentration and unexplained outbreaks of irritation appear.
How to treat restless legs syndrome?
In fact, the principles of treatment depend on the cause of the disease. If the syndrome is secondary, then first of all the doctor determines what factors led to its development, and therapy is aimed at eliminating the primary disease. For example, if the violation is associated with a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, then the patient is prescribed drugs that eliminate vitamin deficiency and a lack of nutrients.
With the primary syndrome, a correctly selected daily regimen is extremely important. Of course, antidepressants, and sometimes also antipsychotics and anticonvulsants, are prescribed to eliminate the main symptoms. Along with these patients, it is recommended to follow a proper diet, which helps prevent vitamin deficiency, as well as provide moderate physical activity during the day and regular walks in the fresh air. A relaxing massage of the legs, a hot shower or a bath before bedtime will help ease the condition. It is worth abandoning products containing caffeine, strictly limit the amount of alcohol, quit smoking.