Feeling discomfort or having the urge to move your leg, often during the night-time can be a sign of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). According to the Neurological Society Of India, “Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis Ekbom's syndrome, is a neurological disorder characterized by sensorimotor abnormality leading to an irresistible urge to move the limbs due to abnormal unpleasant sensations involving the limbs,”.
The easiest way to describe these sensations is that one may experience a tugging, pulling, throbbing, etc. in their legs. Dr. Rajesh Vukkala, MD (General Medicine), Consultant Physician at VINN Hospital, Hyderabad says, “The most common reason behind this condition is due to nerve irritation because of reduction of oxygen and energy supply. Also, if you look into any kind of nerve-related issue, it tends to get accentuated at night. This kind of problem may be seen in people with
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Severe Anaemia
- Having vitamin D deficiency
- Having Calcium deficiency
Therefore, keeping all the aforementioned problems in control, RLS can be dealt with” People on cholesterol control medication may also experience this”.
What Can Be Done?
The symptoms of RLS may vary from mild to severe. However, early diagnosis and proper treatment can help you deal with it. Dr. Rajesh explains that there are certain medications available that ease the nerve irritation. In our country, we treat it with chemicals or tablets which increase the capacity of oxygen in the area of the cell. Although, it is necessary that one must consult a doctor prior to taking any medication. Some other things that can be done when one experiences any such symptoms are:
- Massage the area with your hands
- Use a muscle relaxant
- Application of a cold pack
“However, these are not assured, as people have different thresholds, but some of these may definitely help”.
How It Can Affect Further?
Apart from this, all of this can affect your sleep quality, which leads to further complications or disturbed daily routines. Lack of sleep can affect your health in many ways. Dr. Rajesh also explains to us why sleep is important:
- It plays a very crucial role in our day-to-day activities
- It controls lots of hormones in your body
- It is one of the commonest reasons for high blood pressure and irregular heart-beats
- It disturbs the repair, respiration of the brain and hence, your concentration level and aptitude may be compromised for the next few days
Causing discomfort, affecting sleep and disrupting daily functioning, it is important to prioritize its treatment. You may try certain home remedies, however, if the condition is recurrent, it is better to consult and doctor and be treated on time.
