Restless Legs Syndrome: Causes and treatment at home

Willis's disease - in this time of frequent neurological disease, popularly called restless legs syndrome. Expressed discomfort in the legs. Because of this state want to constantly move the legs, itching, burning, "goose bumps" on the skin. Pathology nasty - after a hard day it is impossible to sleep, lie down in a quiet state.

Syndrome often occurs in people over 40 years old, but sick and young people. In women, the disease is more common than in men. This is explained by the fact that men nervous system is considered to be more robust. The causes of the disease are different.

What it is?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) - a condition characterized by unpleasant sensations in the lower limbs, which appear alone (usually in the evening and night-time), forcing the patient to commit to facilitate their movement and often lead to a breach of Sleep.

Modern population studies show that the prevalence of RLS is 2-10%. RLS occurs in all age groups, but most marked in middle and old age. RLS is the cause of approximately 15% of cases of chronic insomnia - insomnia.

Causes of

Primary syndrome - a poorly understood, sick, young people up to 30 years. Is not associated with major diseases, it accounts for up to 50%. It accompanies all human life, alternating periods of progression and remission. Occurs suddenly, the reasons are not clear, it can be:

• heredity in 20-70% of cases;
• malfunction of the central nervous system;
• psychological conditions (stress, depression, fatigue).

Secondary syndrome - is shown on a background of the basic (somatic or neurologic) disease disappears after their removal. Frequent:

• disruption of blood supply;
• kidney disease arthritis;
• beriberi (group B) and a lack of magnesium;
• anemia, iron deficiency in the background;
• diabetes, thyroid disease;
• abuse of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine;
• therapy with certain drugs.

Secondary syndrome occurs after age 40 or later. The exception is pregnant. More than 16% of pregnant women suffer from this disease, 3 times more than non-pregnant women. There is a possibility of genetic transmission of RLS from the mother - fetus that poses a threat for carrying baby.

Pathogenesis

The effectiveness of dopaminergic agents and the possibility of worsening symptoms under the influence of antipsychotics indicate that a key part of the pathogenesis of RLS is a deficiency of the dopaminergic systems. A clear daily rhythm of the clinical manifestations of RLS may reflect the involvement of the hypothalamic structures in particular suprahiazmalnogo nucleus diurnal cycles regulating physiological processes in body.

It is possible that in some patients with RLS polyneuropathy, iron deficiency, the abuse of coffee or other factors only reveal existing genetic predisposition, partly blurs the line between idiopathic and symptomatic sc embodiments.

symptoms of RLS

Characterized by symptoms in the form of unpleasant sensations stabbing, scrubbing, itching, oppressive or Expander nature of lower limbs. Onset of symptoms generally occur at rest, they are greatly reduced with physical activity.

In order to facilitate the patient's condition have resorted to various manipulations - stretched and bent, massage, and shake rubbing limbs, during sleep often toss and turn, get up out of bed and walk from side to side, or shifting from foot on foot. This activity helps to stop the manifestation of symptoms of restless legs syndrome, but as soon as the patient goes back to sleep, or just stop - return. A characteristic feature of the syndrome is the manifestation of symptoms at one and the same time, the maximum average severity it reaches between 12 am to 4 am, the minimum necessary for the period from 6 to 10 hours morning.

In advanced cases, long-term absence of treatment, the daily rhythm of restless legs syndrome disappears symptoms at any time, even in the sitting state. This situation greatly complicates the life of the patient - it is difficult to maintain long trips to transport, work on the computer, go to movies, theaters, etc.

Because of the need to constantly carry out movements during sleep with the time the patient begins insomnia, which leads to fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

Diagnostics

Basic Diagnostic Methods:

1. Analysis of blood for the content of iron, magnesium and folic acid. It helps to determine the deficit of these elements, which may be provoking factors pathology.
2. Electroneuromyography - method study of nerves and muscles with the help of special equipment. In this sensitive sensors are attached to various body parts and diagnose the degree of electrical excitability of individual muscle groups.
3. Polismonografiya - an integrated approach, allowing to diagnose motor activity during sleep. Special sensors detect awakening and muscle activity. Unlike electroneuromyography one is in a dormant state.

How to treat restless leg syndrome?

Developed a specific algorithm for the treatment of restless legs syndrome, which includes a number of procedures. This includes:

• help the therapist;
• folk remedies and homeopathy;
• drug therapy;
• physiotherapy and exercise therapy;
• self-help, ceremony bedtime.

Once diagnosed, you can begin to comprehensive treatment Ekboma disease.

medication

In cases of mild course of the disease is only those measures may be sufficient, and the disease has receded. If they do not help, and the disease causes a persistent disturbance of sleep and life, then resorting to drugs.

Drugs used for the disease:

1. Dopaminergic agents (formulations containing L-Dopa - lac, Madopar, Sinemet; dopamine receptor agonists - Pramipexole pronoran, bromocriptine). It is the first choice line, they begin treatment. For the formulations containing L-Dopa, an initial dosage of 50 mg of levodopa for 1-2 hours before bedtime. If this is not enough, approximately one week dose is increased by 50 mg. The maximum dose is 200 mg. Dopamine receptor agonists have an effect comparable to the effect of drugs L -DOFA. Pramipexole is assigned starting with 0.125 mg, the dosage can be increased to 1 mg of bromocriptine - with 1.25 mg (7.5 mg) pronoran - 50 mg (150 mg). If a dopamine receptor agonist is ineffective, it is expedient to replace the other.
2. Benzodiazepines. Among this chemical group increasingly using Clonazepam (starting from 0.5 mg at night and up to 2 mg), and alprazolam (0.25 mg to 0.5 mg per night). Benzodiazepines have a greater impact on sleep rather than discomfort and periodic movements in the legs, so they belong to the "spare" drugs for the treatment of restless legs syndrome.
3. Anticonvulsants (gabapentin, Neurontin, carbamazepine) and opioids (tramadol, codeine, dihydrocodeine, oxycodone). These drugs of last resort, only if the dopaminergic and benzodiazepine drugs have proved ineffective or have given significant side effects. Gabapentin administered in increasing dosages ranging from 300 mg reaching a maximum dose of 2700 mg (stop at that dose which has an effect). All dose taken at night at a time. Tramadol take on 50-400 mg at night, Codeine - by 15-60 mg, Dihydrocodeine - 60 - 120 mg, of oxycodone - 2.5 - 20 mg. These narcotic drugs are used only in severe cases of restless legs syndrome, because they can be addictive.

Willis is insidious disease that often patients require long reception of preparations, so the doctor is trying to select the minimum dosage of medicines for relieving symptoms and providing the body sparing toxic exposure.

It is particularly difficult to treat pregnant women. In such cases, experts try to identify and eliminate the cause of the disease. In most cases, the culprit - a lack of micronutrients, especially iron. Such state normalized after a course of iron-containing preparations. But if the body found more serious violations, to eliminate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome in pregnant women doctors advise drug-free methods, and small doses of drugs (usually clonazepam or levodopa) administered briefly and only in extreme cases.

additional techniques

As a complement to drug therapy and proper lifestyle physical therapy used in the treatment Ekboma syndrome, which include:

1. Vibromassage.
2. Reflexology - a method in which the singular points a special needle is introduced to the body.
3. Magnetic therapy - the use of magnetic fields, which have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-edema effect.
4. Darsonvalization shins - using a special device made impact on a certain part of the body evanescent high frequency current.
5. Limfopress - creating pressure on the lymphatic system to normalize metabolic processes in the body and improve the tone of the lower extremities.
6. Mud - a method that uses the medicinal mud. When applying it improves blood circulation, improving movement erythrocyte and normal metabolism.

Folk remedies when dealing with RLS

To facilitate the state of restless legs described the mass of folk medicine tips that can be used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment:

1. Laurel oil. Add to 100 ml olive oil 30 g leafs and give infuse fluid in a dark place for about 2 weeks. From the resulting tincture to do foot massage every night before bed.
2. Soothing tea. This drink will help to improve sleep, soothe and relax your muscles. It needs mixture valerian root, herb mint and oregano. Additionally, you need to rinse the 10 hips. It can be used as a dried and fresh option. Further, the kettle should be placed rosehips and 1 hour. l. a mixture of herbs. Then pour all 400 mL of boiling water and let stand for at least 40 minutes. Take this tea should be within 2 hours before bedtime for a month for 1 glass.
3. Tincture of horseradish. Crushed roots and leaves of horseradish pour alcohol or vodka and let stand 4-5 days in a dark place. Regularly rub legs such means.
4. Healing bath. It is necessary to prepare a decoction of sage, rosemary and linden. All herbs need to mix and 3 tbsp. l. sugar and 1 liter of boiling water. Boil for 15 minutes. Then sue, filter and add the liquid in the foot bath. In 3 liters of water need to 1 liter of broth. The temperature should be at least 38 degrees. Exposure time 15 minutes. Do such a bath should be a day for a month.
5. Tincture of golden whiskers. Rub pharmacy tincture of lower limbs before bedtime.
6. Infusion of hawthorn. Boil 1 tbsp. l. hawthorn berries cup of boiling water and drink shortly before bedtime. It calms the nervous system and helps relieve discomfort in the legs.

It is not necessary to self-medicate, especially if you are unsure of your diagnosis! Consult your doctor, who can you confirm or deny your suspicions to restless legs syndrome, and to recommend how to cope with pain.

Home Treatment

can be fully comply with all the measures that will drive the symptoms of the disease to a minimum in the home.

1. You should always create your sleep - sleep and wake up at the same time. If the patient is suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders, the doctor advises necessarily train the mind.
2. Physical exercise. Moderate physical activity has a positive effect on the condition of the feet. During the day and before bedtime is useful to do gymnastics, hiking, engage in Pilates, swimming, yoga or stretching. But too active sports can trigger increased symptoms, so jogging, jumping, football and volleyball are contraindicated for people suffering from the disease Willis.
3. Contrast perfusion. Take contrasting foot bath, alternating hot and cold water.
4. Hobbies. The house can find something to do: drawing, knitting, reading. Attention helps to relieve stress.
5. Systematic foot massage. Rubbing the lower limbs before bedtime can reduce the discomfort and facilitate sleep.

You can take cream or resort to folk remedies, which we pointed out earlier. Be sure to discard the caffeinated products. Eat iron-containing foods, sleeping in cotton socks. Some sources speak about the benefits of wearing a sock of wool. It is not necessary to load up at night. Having received a boost of energy, the body will be more difficult to fall asleep.

prevention

There is no single views of patients about how to get rid of unpleasant episodes in the legs at night. Each patient has their own methods and means. We can only note that in order to reduce nocturnal attacks is useful to carry out preventive measures:

1. Cancel a late dinner, go to bed on a full stomach;
2. Yoga or Pilates;
3. Swimming;
4. In autumn and spring the intake of vitamins;
5. Frequently change your posture, take appropriate breaks with holding small gymnastic exercises;
6. Walk on the street before going to bed;
7. Wear only cotton clothing, with no synthetic materials. Feet should always be warm.

In general, specific prevention of restless legs syndrome hereditary forms do not exist. Primary measures are directed at prevention of treatment of the primary disease, which may eventually lead to the development of neuropathy and impaired dopaminergic system.