Do You Know What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome For You?
The Two Catagories Of Restless Leg Syndrome
Do you know which catagory you fit into?
Continued research into the causes of Restless Leg Syndrome has both eliminated possibilities and brought into light more stimulating factors. It was once thought that RLS be due to disease in the blood vessels of the legs or in the nerves in the legs that control leg movement and sensation. Both of those suggestions have been rejected.There are two catagories which RLS is divided into, primary or secondary. Primary (idiopathic) RLS has no known underlying cause. Primary RLS is far more common than secondary RLS. Secondary RLS is caused by an underlying medical condition. With conditions and causes under both of these catagories, can you see why causes of RLS can be numerous an hard to detect?
*Primary RLS has been linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain which controls muscle movements or to abnormalties in the central nervous system. Research is still being done into this.
*Secondary RLS has been associated with a number of other underlying conditions. Those include iron-deficiency anemia and peripheral neuropathy.
Read on for more discoveries associated with these two types of RLS.
Can History Tell What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?
The timeline of Restless Leg Syndrome dates back 100's of years.
Professor Karl-Axel Ekbom first coined the term Restless Leg Syndrome in 1944. As Professor and head of the department of neurology at Uppsala university hospital, he wrote a book in 1945 addressing this condition titled 'Restless Legs' where he described the disease and presented eight cases. Do to his findings the word 'Syndrome' was added. So, did this 'mystery' disease just suddenly invent itself?
The conditions of Restless Leg Syndrome actually date back to the 1600's. A 17th century English physician, pictured above, who served King Charles II by the name of Thomas Willis published a book in 1664 titled 'Cerebri anatome'. In it he describes the term 'reflex action'. Willis thought that the cure for RLS was blood letting, indeed modern understanding can account for this as anaemia, iron deficiency and/or low ferritin levels can contribute to RLS. Willis wrote in a chapter entitled 'Instructions for curing the Watching evil' in 'London practice of Physick published in 1685:
'.....Wherefore to some, when being in bed they betake themselves to sleep, presently in the arms and legs. Leaping and contractions of the tendons
and so great a restlessness and tossing of the members ensure, that the diseased are no more able to sleep, than if they were in the place of the greatest torture.....!Boy does that ever hit the nail on the head!
Is Heredity The Cause Of Restless Leg Syndrome?
Knowing your family medical history can speed your diagnois.
It has been a theory that the cause of restless leg syndrome dates back in time and lies within your own family history. Approximately 50% of all people diagnosed with RLS are dealing with the primary version, which is hereditary.Sometimes digging this information up can be extremely difficult. Little has been known about rls and not many people talked about it through the years. Your grandmother or great-grandmother may have no idea what you are talking about. But if this condition can be traced back one or two generations, it is 95% probable that you have it too and it is not the symptom of another condition.
Other Factors That Cause Restless Leg Syndrome
Wide range of underlying conditions may be the cause.
Through time and research, the causes of restless leg syndrome have been divided into two catagories.Primary RLS: does not have an underlying disease as a cause. This type of RLS may be the result of a family history. Primary RLS can start from a young age and may progress over time, in a process known as augmentation.
Secondary RLS: Usually starts among adult patients and may be the results of another underlying condition, such as:
* Iron deficiency (anemia)
* Kidney failure
* Possible ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
* Pregnancy
* Other medications
* Thyroid abnormalities
* Diabetes
* Parkinson's disease
* Folate deficiency
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Nerve damage (neuropathy)
If the RLS is caused by pregnancy, the doctor may emphasize behavioral sleep hygiene [link] techniques. The RLS symptoms usually disappear once the pregnancy is complete.
What Does Restless Leg Syndrome Cause?
Turn the tables and ask 'What does RLS cause?'
Because there is no 'clear-cut' cause of rls and its symptoms, it is always wise to concider what rls, left untreated, will cause. These are a couple of conditions.~Daytime drowsiness
~Memory loss
~Difficulty concentrating
~Tiredness or fatigue
~Constant leg pain
It would appear that the above conditions could also cause other symptoms, and on and on. The 'Domino Effect' theory would indeed take place.
Here's my favorite link:
What's Up With Your RLS
Hi! Just take a minute and let me know how you are effected by Restless Leg Syndrome. We're not going to make a difference unless we voice our concerns.
My Restless Leg Syndrome Blog
Real Person Who Suffers From This Real Disease
Tired of Restless Leg Syndrome or just tired because of it? RLS and its symptoms are causing quite a stir in the medical world and its about time. I'll let you in on my tips and secrets for keeping RLS under control.
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