Restless Legs Syndrome Info from Med Help International

RLS Info from Med Help International
http://medhlp.netusa.net/index.htm

The following information was found in the National Organization of Rare Disease Data Base on Compuserve:

Synonyms

Ekbom Syndrome

Wittmaack-Edbom Syndrome

Axietas Tibialis

Hereditary Acromelalgia

General Discussion

Restless Legs Syndrome is a hereditary neurological disorder characterized by unusual sensations felt in the legs, usually at night. These feelings cause the patient to constantly move the feet and legs in order to relieve the unbearable sensations. The disorder can be hereditary or it may be a complication of alcoholism, iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy or diabetes.

Symptoms

Attacks of Restless Legs Syndrome usually begin when the person's legs are at rest, such as when going to bed or sitting still. Deep discomfort occurs between the knee and the ankle. Aching and a sensation of crawling (paresthesias) in the legs occur. Sudden muscle jerks (myoclonic jerks) may also take place. Myoclonic jerks occur in many healthy people just before they fall asleep, but in people with Restless Legs Syndrome they can occur frequently and while the person is wide awake.

The aching and crawling sensations in the legs of people with this syndrome precipitate constant movement of legs and feet in order to relieve the uncomfortable feelings. It is difficult to fall asleep as a result of these symptoms, and once asleep, the patient can be awakened by the symptoms.

Like many neurological disorders, psychological stress can exacerbate the symptoms.

Causes

Restless Legs Syndrome can be a type of "neuropathy" which is a malfunction of the peripheral nerves. The syndrome is often associated with chronic alcoholism, iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy or diabetes. Some scientists suggest that Restless Legs Syndrome may reflect a mild defect in the way sleep is organized by the brain. In about one-third of the cases, this disorder is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Human traits including the classic genetic diseases, are the product of the interaction of two genes for that condition, one received from the father and one from the mother. In dominant disorders, a single copy of the disease gene (received from either the father or mother) will be expressed "dominating" the normal gene and resulting in appearance of the disease. The risk of transmitting the disorder from affected parent to offspring is 50%.

Affected Population

Onset of Restless Legs Syndrome usually occurs during adolescence, and in people of box sexes. The syndrome is usually chronic. It often occurs in people with alcoholism, anemia, diabetes or in women who are pregnant.

Related Disorders

Myoclonus is shock-like contractions of the muscles, or a group of muscles. The jerky movements sometimes can be precipitated by loud noises or sudden light.

Therepies (Standard)

Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome is symptomatic. Sometimes relief can be obtained through the application of cold compresses. The anticonvulsant drug, CLONAZEPAM, the anticonfulsant and analgesic drug CARBAMAZEPINE, and varying doses of a combination of L-dopa and CARBIDOPA (i.e. SINEMET) have been reported to be effective in treating this disorder in some patients. If the disorder is inherited, genetic counseling may be of help to patients and families.

Therepies (Investigational)

Research on Restless Legs Syndrome is being conducted by Drs. Arthur Walter and Wayne Hening. Physicians may contact them at:

Department of Neurology
CN19 University of Medicine and Dentistry - New Jersey
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
New Brunswick, New Jersey 18903
U.S.A.

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