Restless legs syndrome insomnia by constant legs twitching

Constant restlessness of the legs: Sleepless nights because of twitching legs
Who suffers from the so-called 'Restless Legs Syndrome', can hardly sleep and find peace. The Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine now wants to work for better treatment options. A treatment can significantly alleviate the symptoms.

Every tenth affected
However, in about one in ten, the feeling of relaxation may not set. As soon as they rest, they suffer from sensory pains in the legs, pain, restlessness and feel an unnatural urge to move. These symptoms speak for the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which affects those affected especially at night. The complaints can be expelled for a short time by movement - some sufferers therefore run several miles every night, because otherwise they can not stand the pain and discomfort. This not only leads to a high level of suffering, but can also be dangerous. Because the restless legs often cause strong sleep disorders that damage the long term health.

Insomniac due to Restless Legs Syndrome. Image: Edler von Rabenstein - fotolia

The Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM) now wants to work for better treatment options. "Before a specific drug therapy is started, symptomatic causes must be excluded and, if necessary, treated," explains Professor Svenja Happe, chief neurologist at the Maria Frieden Telgte clinic. "It is advisable to give iron at low blood levels, even if iron deficiency anemia can not be detected." In the course of the therapies, certain sleep rules and abstinence from coffee and alcohol are recommended to patients, as these beverages have a stimulating effect. In certain cases, drugs such as neuroleptics and antidepressants are prescribed.

Especially the elderly and pregnant women are affected
Especially the elderly, sometimes pregnant women, are among those affected. Often, Restless Legs syndrome also occurs in association with polyneuropathy, a disease of the long nerves. According to the current state of research, restless legs syndrome arises from a conventional medical viewpoint due to a disturbance in the transmission of certain messenger substances in the brain and spinal cord. This may be genetic or caused by factors such as iron deficiency, renal dysfunction or medication. For example, when restless legs are triggered by medication, the disease disappears when the factor is eliminated. All other forms, conventional medicine can treat only symptomatically.

"If the quality of life, especially due to the frequently occurring sleep disturbance, significantly restricted, a drug therapy should be properly initiated," said the expert. Although a complete cure is not yet possible, but the therapy can ensure that the symptoms are significantly mitigated. Patients can then lead an almost normal life again. (Sb)