2. RLS Isn’t a Frivolous Condition
Oftentimes it’s difficult to sympathize with those suffering from a condition we don’t know about firsthand. The symptoms of RLS—mainly the sensations in the legs—can result in serious sleep deprivation, disrupt everyday life and activities, lead to high blood pressure, cause erectile dysfunction, and cause disproportionate dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter that regulates movement and pleasure centers in the brain.
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3. Diagnosing RLS
To be diagnosed with RLS by a medical professional, a patient must satisfy 4 criteria, including:
- Abnormally uncomfortable tingling or crawling sensations in the legs
- An overpowering impulse to move the legs
- Symptoms that are aggravated during in the evening or at night when sleeping
- Exacerbated symptoms during periods of inactivity—meaning movement or exercise can provide temporary relief
4. RLS May Have a Genetic Link
European studies combined with research from Atlanta’s Emory University have discovered a possible genetic link between RSL patients, showing that RLS may have a family tie. International research from 2007 and 2011 pinpointed common genes variant that doubled a person’s chances of developing the condition, particularly if they are of Eastern European origin.
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5. Symptoms of RLS
According to patient research from California’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Centers, Movement Disorders Program, the uncomfortable and disruptive leg sensations suffered by RLS patients are the most common symptom of this movement disorder. Sensations in the legs range from tingling, itching, creepy-crawly, tugging, and even cramps and involuntary leg movements. These symptoms are what cause the uncontrollable urge to remain moving as they worsen when the patient is at rest.