Restless Legs Syndrome
Having Fibromyalgia and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) can be a nightmare disturbing sleep and making life miserable.
Severity of symptoms can vary from day to day or even from month to month. Some people who have RLS can go for months without symptoms only to have them reoccur with a vengeance.
According to the NHS:
“Restless legs syndrome typically causes an overwhelming urge to move your legs and an uncomfortable sensation in your legs.”
Restless Legs SyndromeJust as in Fibromyalgia, women are far more likely to have Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) than men. And just like Fibromyalgia there is no definitive cause to RLS. RLS disturbs restful and restorative sleep and because of this other conditions such as fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety are likely to ensue.
Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome
The symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome include tingling, burning, itching, throbbing or crawling in the legs. Sometimes these sensations can be felt in the arms, chest or face. An irresistible urge to move the legs or other body parts to relieve the sensations occurs. This can affect sleep during the night but also can happen during waking hours.
A high percentage (up to 90%) of people with Restless Legs Syndrome also have periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS). Having PLMS means that your legs will twitch or jerk uncontrollably normally during sleep.
This obviously prevents good restorative sleep. And without good sleep many health issues ensue.
Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome
For many sufferers of RLS no definite cause can be found for their condition. Studies have shown that certain specific genes related to RLS can be genetic and run in families. If this is the case diagnosis is usually made before the age of 40.
It is thought that iron deficiency may be one of cause of RLS.
Another possible cause for Restless Legs Syndrome that is put forward is problems with part of the brain called the basal ganglia which uses dopamine to control movements. Dopamine sends signals between the brain and nervous system to help the brain regulate and co-ordinate movement. If there are problems sending these signals then involuntary movements will occur. Dopamine levels naturally fall in the evening anyway, so this will exacerbate any involuntary movements.
Pregnant women are susceptible to getting RLS, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.
For people with Fibromyalgia the likely cause of their RLS is sleep deprivation as poor sleep can trigger the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome.
If you haven’t already take a look at my SLEEP page and also the importance of magnesium supplementation.