| Do you have difficulty sitting still on an airplane | | | | people with RLS also have a separate but related |
| because your legs are uncomfortable? Do your | | | | disorder call Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (leg |
| restless legs prevent you from falling asleep at night? If | | | | kicking that usually occurs after the person has fallen |
| you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then | | | | asleep). |
| you might have Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). | | | | I Think I Might Have RLS, How Do I Find Out If I Have |
| RLS is an uncomfortable sensation in the legs that | | | | It? |
| appears at rest or at bedtime. The sensation is | | | | Make an appointment with your primary care physician, |
| notoriously difficult to describe, but some refer to it as | | | | or if your insurance allows it, go straight to a sleep |
| a "creepy-crawly" feeling. RLS has many names and | | | | specialist. If your physician thinks you might have RLS, |
| has been variously referred to as "Jimmy legs," the | | | | he or she should check the ferritin levels in your blood |
| "heebie jeebies," and "Elvis legs." It creates an | | | | (ferritin is a sensitive indicator of blood iron levels). Then |
| irresistible urge to move the legs. When the legs are | | | | you can be treated with various medications and have |
| moved, this sensation is temporarily relieved. RLS is a | | | | an iron deficiency corrected if needed. |
| problem because it prevents people from falling asleep | | | | How Is RLS Treated? |
| and the uncomfortable sensation can cause a great | | | | In a small number of patients, correcting iron levels can |
| deal of distress. | | | | help with RLS. Behavioral methods like hot baths and |
| Who Gets Restless Legs Syndrome? | | | | relaxation methods may also be effective. Many |
| Anyone can have it at any age. Once it starts, it | | | | patients require a medication. The FDA recently |
| usually becomes progressively worse with age. It is | | | | approved a medication called Requipâ„¢ which |
| estimated to occur in up to 1 in 10 adults in the United | | | | has been clinically proven to help relieve the symptoms |
| States. In some people it is inherited and in some it | | | | of RLS. Many other classes of medications can also |
| occurs spontaneously. Nobody knows why it occurs | | | | be helpful including benzodiazepines, other Parkinsons |
| but it is believed to be due to a problem with the | | | | Disease medications, seizure medications, and |
| neurotransmitter dopamine in the nervous system. | | | | narcotics. Ask your doctor about what option is right |
| Since iron is involved in the production of dopamine, | | | | for you. |
| some people with low iron have RLS. Up to 80% of | | | | |