Treat for Restless Leg Syndrome

Who suffers from restless legs syndrome?

Approximately five to ten percent of the population suffer at the best addiction treatment center in Pakistan to some degree from restless legs syndrome (in the US this amounts to about 12 million people), although in most cases the majority of the cause of restless legs syndrome is manageable. Both men and women of all ages are susceptible, although restless legs syndrome is more commonly seen as a problem in middle age and tends to worsen as you age. In younger sufferers, the condition is often put down to "growing pains" or is considered to be a case of "hyperactivity."

This sleep disorder also tends to run in families, and documented cases suggest that there may also be racial or ethnic factors associated with the condition.

How is restless legs syndrome treated?

In mild cases, rls symptoms can be greatly relieved by a combination of exercise, leg massage (including acupressure), hot baths and the application of either heated pads or ice packs.

In addition, eliminating caffeine from the diet and practicing relaxation, meditation and yoga can be very beneficial.

In all cases of girls, iron levels in the blood should be checked, and, where necessary, iron supplements should be given.

In moderate to severe cases, the treatment of restless leg syndrome may necessitate the use of drugs. No single drug is recommended for the treatment of restless leg syndrome, and drugs will vary from case to case and depend upon a variety of factors, including other pre-existing or coexistent conditions and any other medication being taken. There are, however, four main classes of drugs currently used to treat restless leg syndrome:

• Benzodiazepines. Low-dose benzodiazepine treatment acts to suppress the central nervous system. Commonly used drugs include clonazepam (Klonopin) and temazepam (Restoril).
• Benzodiazepines have several common side effects, including headache, heartburn, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness and dry mouth. In particular, however, they can add to daytime tiredness and should not be taken by people who also suffer from sleep apnea
• Dopaminergic agents. Dopaminergic agents enhance the action of dopamine in the brain and are some of the most favoured drugs for treating restless legs syndrome. Many of these drugs are already well known and approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and, in May 2005, one drug in this class - ropinirole HCL (Requip) - became the first and only drug to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of restless legs syndrome.
• Other commonly used drugs in this class include pramipexole (Mirapex) and pergolide (Permax). Side effects can include nausea, drowsiness, dizziness and vomiting.
• In August 2004, a study at the John Hopkins University in Baltimore showed that Requip reduced involuntary leg movements by up to seventy-five percent.
• Anticonvulsants. In cases where dopaminergic agents fail or peripheral neuropathy is also present, anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol and Tegretol-XR) and gabapentin (Neurontin) may be prescribed.
• Opioids. In severe cases, opioid painkillers/relaxants may be prescribed. These include codeine, hydrocodone and tramadol.

In addition to drug treatments, an increasingly popular non-drug treatment for restless leg syndrome is transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation which is applied to the feet or legs for about fifteen to thirty minutes before bed.