But what causes restless legs syndrome and are there ways to recover from it?
Here is what the science says.
What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless leg syndrome (RLS), medically referred to as Willis-Ekbom disease is an urge based nervous system disorder where the person has an extreme and uncontrollable urge to move their legs.
For many individuals, this will take place at night or when one is simply resting. This can make sleeping and even sitting hard. Because of its ability to act up at night, many sleepless nights can happen and worsen the condition.
It is a relatively common disease, as it affects upwards of 10% of Americans at any given time. Those that are middle-aged will often see the first signs of RLS and it can get worse if not treated.
What Are the Symptoms?
An urge to move your legs can be broad and differ from person to person. It can start with an uncomfortable feeling in the legs, which can often feel like the legs are going numb or described as the pins and needles feeling.
Restless leg syndrome symptoms do not happen all at once. While it is common to have this feeling of numbness start in both legs at the same time, it can sometimes start in one leg and then spread to the other.
Not everyone will have the same type of reaction to the disease either. Certain individuals will only find it a nuisance that comes and goes every so often.
Others may not be so lucky. It can lead to sleepless nights every night and a feeling of insanity because it feels like there is nothing you can do.
What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?
Because it is nervous-system-based, it is often hard to figure out the cause of RLS. One of the most common causes of RLS is other neurological diseases. Those with Parkinson’s disease or other neurological may be more prone to the disease.
Certain medications that impact the nervous system could trigger the reaction.
Those that are prone to sleepless nights and high caffeine usage should also be on the lookout. Caffeine causes muscles to contract more, which can lead to muscle cramps if not careful. These muscle cramps can then lead to an increase in RLS risk.
For those looking into treatment for RLS, be sure to check out CBD for RLS.
The Key to Fighting RLS Is Understanding What It Is
Just like any other disease, the key to understanding what causes restless leg syndrome is bringing awareness to the issue in the first place. The more attention the disease gets, the more people can come forward to be studied, leading us closer to the cure.
If you know someone that has RLS, be sure to share this article with them so they can learn a little more about their disease. For those looking to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle, be sure to check out our other articles.