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Restless Legs Syndrome Explained

 

Restless legs syndrome (RLS, or Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome) is a condition that is characterised by an irresistible urge to move one's legs. It is poorly understood,  often misdiagnosed, and believed to be a neurological disorder. It is often misnamed restless leg syndrome with one 's'.

It is sometimes mistakenly called "Ekbom's syndrome", but that is an entirely different condition that shares part of the Wittmaack-Ekbom syndrome eponym: delusional parasitosis, as both syndromes were described by the same person, Karl-Axel Ekbom.

Many doctors express the view that the incidence of restless leg syndrome is exaggerated by manufacturers of drugs used to treat it.

Many people tap their feet or shake their legs resulting from a nervous tic, consumption of stimulants, drug side-effects or other factors; this is usually innocuous, unnoticed, and does not interfere with daily life, quite distinct from Restless Leg Syndrome.


Restless Legs Syndrome Explanation


Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) (which is also sometimes referred to as Jimmy Legs, Jumpy Legs, Jiggly Legs, Jimmy Jams, Gravy Gams, Heebeejeebees, spare legs, "the kicks", kicky-outy legs, stretchy legs, or sewing machine foot) may be described as uncontrollable urges to move the limbs in order to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations in the body, most commonly in the legs, but can also be in the arms and torso. Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations, providing temporary relief.

The sensations–and need to move–may return immediately after ceasing movement, or at a later time. RLS may start at any age, including early childhood, and is a progressive disease for a certain portion of those afflicted, although the symptoms have disappeared permanently in some sufferers.

Many physicians doubt that RLS actually exists as a legitimate clinical entity, but believe it to be a kind of "catch-all" category...perhaps related to a general heightened sympathetic nervous system (SNS) response that could be caused by any number of physical or emotional factors. Lumbosacral spinal subluxations and life stress are two of these. Incidentally, the side effects of some Restless Legs Syndrome drugs can be very serious. This must be considered by anyone seeking a medical solution for RLS.

 

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