Sensations, being present in almost every activity, are precursors for one's actions. These feelings or perceptions appear whenever a person moves, or a natural biological change occurs. In some cases, uncomfortable sensations appear involuntarily, entailing the person to move his or her legs. The leg movement either provides a soothing feeling or at least neutralizes the involuntary sensations. This condition is called restless legs syndrome or RLS.

Causes of RLS

Restless legs syndrome is linked to a handful of disorders. These conditions may differ but they all point towards the body's iron metabolism and the production of dopamine, which should always be maintained at an ample level. The causes for the syndrome are believed to be conditions, deficiencies and disorders that lessen the count of iron and dopamine in the body, though the exact causes are still unclear.

• Iron Deficiency – Iron, being an essential factor for human blood, is one of the things responsible for regulating the sensations brought by the syndrome. Roughly 20% of RLS cases have shown iron deficiency. Remarkably, injecting iron appears to be one of the treatments for RLS.
• ADHD – The development of ADHD is signaled by the drop in the body's dopamine content, which is similar and can even cause RLS.
• Genetics – The iron and the dopamine contents of a person are influenced by his or her genetics. A bloodline with a naturally low count of iron or dopamine will naturally produce people who are more susceptible to RLS.

Other conditions associated with RLS are pregnancies, vein diseases, some sleeping disorders and folate deficiency.

Symptoms of RLS

It is believed that RLS develops during childhood then worsens come adulthood, when the iron and dopamine deficits are greater. Attacks can come at any given moment, so you should be aware of the following symptoms:

• The Appearance of Tickling, Itching or Burning Sensations – The sensations may be non-lethal but they cause much discomfort. Your recourse is to move the particular limbs entailed by the condition as the sources of relief. The legs and the groin area are the usual targets but it can also afflict the arms, head, eyes, and feet.
• Unconscious Limb Movement – Normally, the sensations are felt by those afflicted with RLS but sometimes, the body automatically reacts to them by force of habit. The usual reactions are tapping of the feet or legs, sudden movement of the arms, and other parts of your torso that move for no particular reason.

• Restlessness – Since the sensations entail constant action, prolonged attacks cause restlessness. You will feel exhausted and will lack the concentration needed for school or work-related activities if the attack extends for long periods.
• Insomnia and the Inability to Relax – In some cases, the sensations worsen when you try to relax. Their effects double, prompting you to continuously move your limbs for relief. It eventually causes insomnia, since you are too engaged to meet sleep's standards for relaxation. The attacks can also be triggered by other relaxed activities like watching TV, reading a book or listening to soft music.

The appearance of sensations can also be connected to your body clock. The attacks usually take place during the times when you are most active and relaxed. After a while, you can somewhat predict when the attacks will happen. You can then formulate a strategy to manipulate when the attacks will happen, since they eventually disappear after certain periods.

Treatment for RLS

RLS, when not accompanied by secondary illnesses, is often endured by the patient without any real form of treatment. If the attacks get too severe or if the RLS is indirectly caused by an illness, taking medicine is required. Don't hesitate to consult your doctor if your condition is unbearable and causes you to lose sleep. He or she will subject you to a comprehensive checkup, then either give you advice or medicine.

• Iron Supplement – Taking iron supplements does not automatically stop RLS, though it certainly helps reduce the occurrence and the severity of the sensations. The moment you feel that the attacks are getting worse, buy a bottle of iron supplements at any pharmacy.
• Dopamine Agonist – For dopamine – related cases, dopamine agonists supply your body with much needed dopamine to suppress the attacks. Consult your doctor to see the probable causes of your RLS. He or she will prescribe the said medicine if your dopamine levels are pretty low.
• Opioid – Opioids are reserved for severe cases, given their numbing effect. A dose can easily block the sensations, even at their peak. Although, you should take the medicine after working or school hours since it has almost the same effect as morphine. Stick to the prescribed dosage to avoid any drug overdose or addiction.
• Benzodiazepines – Just like opioids, benzodiazepines are muscle relaxants that can help suppress or even stop the attacks. Its effects are dependent on how your central nervous system reacts to the drug's active ingredient. For RLS, it is commonly used as a sedative so use it only after office hours, if possible.
• Anticonvulsants – These drugs are normally used for controlling epilepsy, which is somewhat similar to the random appearance of sensations in RLS. Anticonvulsants are used for painful manifestations of RLS, since they can stop the attacks outright. They target the neurons that trigger the body to feel and respond to the barrage of sensations.

Except for the iron supplement, which can be taken even for mild cases of RLS, the treatments presented target specific sources of the attacks. Your doctor will diagnose which of these medicines is the most suitable for your RLS.

Alternative Treatments

Some doctors dismiss the condition as a mere byproduct of emotional and psychological imbalance, which means taking medicine is not really necessary. Their patients, instead of receiving medicine and comprehensive checkups, are sent to the psychiatric ward. The psychiatrist will then resolve the probable psychological causes of their legs' “uneasiness.” As for the medication, the patients are given anti-depressants and counseling sessions, depending on the psychiatric findings.

The Lowdown: Never Settle for a Single Opinion

Restless legs syndrome, being a simple condition with complex causes, is difficult to diagnose. The doctor's examination may vary, depending on his stand regarding the condition. To be sure that you're receiving the right treatment, take iron supplements the moment you feel that the attacks are worsening. Those additional vitamins don't have serious side-effects, so you shouldn't worry about taking them without the doctor's orders. However, you must stop taking them immediately when advised by your doctor to do so, since it may diminish or even counter the effects of the prescribed medication.

As for the proper diagnosis, find a couple of reputable doctors who consider RLS an official negative condition. Get an initial diagnosis and a second opinion. If the findings match, proceed with the prescribed treatments. If the findings conflict, you should consult more doctors until you get a clear answer on your condition. You can also consult a psychiatrist, but prioritize the doctor's findings, until otherwise advised.

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