Restless Legs Syndrome? Willis Ekbom Disease? What is this? What causes this problem? Is it curable? What are the signs and symptoms? How can homeopathy help you? All of this and more answered, in this post and of course our doctors always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form down below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!

What is Restless legs Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome is a neurology movement disorder of the limbs causing an irresistible need to move the legs to stop unpleasant/uncomfortable sensations in the legs. 
The unpleasant sensation may be also in thighs, feet and even in arms, many patients are not diagnosed until 10-20 years after symptom onset.
Restless leg syndrome also features worsening of these unpleasant sensations and leg pain during the early evening or later at night. The unpleasant sensation may be like of -crawling, creeping, pulling, itching, burning and throbbing. RLS can even disrupt sleep leading to daytime drowsiness and insomnia. Pregnancy and hormonal imbalance can worsen RLS.RLS can also be accompanied with Iron deficiency anemia.

Who is more commonly affected by RLS?

Women are more commonly affected than men.
It can occur at any age.
RLS developing at an earlier age that is less than 20 years is due to an autosomal dominant trait running in families.

What are the causes of RLS?

• The chromosomes which are affected are 12q, 14q, 9p, 20p, 4q, and 17p, in autosomal dominant and recessive fashion.
• It could be Heredity
• Conditions like Diabetes Mellitus, Renal failure, obesity.
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Pregnancy
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Sjogren’s syndrome
• Celiac disease, Lyme disease
• Sleep apnea syndrome
• Uremia
• Hypothyroidism
• Injury
• sedatives withdrawal effects.
• Low blood sugars (hypoglycemia).
• Certain drugs like beta blockers, H2 histamine blockers.
• Substances abuse of tobacco, caffeine, alcohol.
• Poor blood circulation in legs, as in, varicosity of veins.
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Frequent blood donation

What are the symptoms and signs of RLS?

• Motor restlessness with constant desire to move, with uncomfortable sensation in legs. This movement results in temporary relief.
• Symptoms worsen while relaxing.
• Lying down and sitting can also trigger.
• Variability.
• Sensations of crawling
• Creeping
• Pulling sensation of pins and needles
• Throbbing
• Itching
• Leg pain
• Burning
• Numbness of limbs
• These sensations occur after immobilization of limbs or after a long duration of inactivity.
• The characteristic night-time aggravation of symptoms in people with restless legs syndrome may result in insomnia resulting in daytime drowsiness and fatigue.
• The symptoms of RLS appear gradually.
• Learning inability and weak memory.

What is the Prognosis of RLS?

Restless leg syndrome worsens with age.

What is the differential diagnosis of RLS?

• Osteoarthritis
• Peripheral vascular disease.
• Varicose veins

What are the investigations advised for RLS?

• Symptoms get worse in the night usually.
• There are no tests available to diagnose RLS at present.

Investigations are basically done to rule out the underlying cause.

• Test for iron deficiency anemia.
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
• Creatinine
• Fasting blood glucose
• Magnesium
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Vitamin B-12

What treatment id advised in RLS?

• Stretching exercise.
• Warm water baths and massages before going to bed.
• Apply warm or cool packs.
• Try relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
• Adequate sleep.
• Regular exercise.
• Avoid substance abuse like caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco
• Certain Medications like Pramipexole, ropinirole, gabapentin and tranquilizers, ropinirole, baclofen.

Homeopathy treatment for RLS?

Homeopathy can help in such cases up to an extent. The remedies are as follows:-

-Arsenicum album
-Causticum
-Ignatia
-Zincum metallicum 
-Rhus toxicodendron

For more information, you can visit NIH and NHS.