The condition of RLS was first described by an English physician Sir Thomas Willis in the late 1600s. Later in 1861 a German physician Theodor Wittmaack labeled the illness by its most noticeable symptom of “restless legs”.
Finally in 1945 during the clinical studies of Swedish neurologist Karl Ekbo, restless legs became the official term for this very incommodious condition to say the least. It is estimated that between 5-10% of the population are affected in varying degrees of severity by RLS and PLMD.
The neurological problems described as restless legs syndrome (RLS) or periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are difficult to diagnose with certainty because they are varied in how they manifest themselves due to other underlying causes and conditions.
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is considered a sleep disorder because the symptoms occur while the individual is asleep and completely unaware of the involuntary limb movements. Medical experience shows that restless leg sufferers will in most cases also be afflicted by periodic limb movement disorder but not vice versa.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) on the other hand can manifest its symptoms during waking or sleeping hours. The movements of the limbs are voluntary because the person feels compelled to move their legs in order to relieve an uncomfortable feeling, such as pulling, tension, crawling sensation or pain, just to name a few. Restless leg syndrome can also produce leg or arm movement while the individual is sleeping, which would then be classified as PLMD if the person is unaware of the arm or leg movements.
For individuals suffering from restless legs syndrome, the unrelenting restlessness and constant urge to move one’s limbs causes ongoing sleep disruptions, ultimately resulting in serious sleep deprivation.
To date the actual root causes of restless legs syndrome have not been established with absolute certainty. However, it is highly probable that a malfunctioning of the dopamine neurotransmitter system in the brain that transmits signals between nerve cells is part of the problem. However, it is still unclear if this is only secondary phenomenon of RLS.
*) Source RLS Foundation
Before you consider having your RLS symptoms treated with medication(s) think of the possible side effects. In addition, some medications may even make your symptoms worse. In many cases self-help with common sense life style adjustments can go a long way in helping to control or even eliminate the nagging symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Please also read our post titled
Can Compression Stockings Help with Restless Legs Syndrome
Members of self-help and support groups and even medical professionals have frequently expressed in comments or in product reviews of compression and support hosiery that wearing compression stockings has benefited them in controlling or reducing the discomfort caused by the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Book Tip:
Restless Legs Syndrome: Relief and Hope for Sleepless Victims of a Hidden Epidemic written by Robert Yoakum.
A Note of Caution: Before making any changes such as wearing compression garments you should always discuss this with your health care provider first to ensure there are no pre-existing conditions that would preclude you from wearing compression stockings.
If you liked this post please let us know by clicking the Facebook like button below. We also appreciate any comments and personal experiences you have to contribute.
Although lipedema is a disease that has been identified as such for about ¾ of…
Your alarm goes off, you think you are ready to start your day and the…
The controversy around the usefulness of compression stockings during athletic running performance continues. A recent…
One of the major challenges with employing compression therapy is to create a balance between…
Diabetes Patients May Soon be Able to Benefit from Hi-Tech Socks and Stockings Over time, the…
According to recently published information from the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) the latest…
View Comments
Appreciate the dedication you put into your website and detailed information you provide. It's nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same outdated rehashed material. Great read! I've saved your site and I'm adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I would just like to let you know how much I learn from your website. Tweeted it.
Love your blog!
Truly entertaining blog. This is a very interesting article. Cheers again - I will be back again.
Hi there! I just want to give an enormous thumbs up for the good info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for extra soon.
How long have you had this blog of yours? I really like the blog.
This site is like a small sun shinning in the night. Much better than everything else.
Hi. Thank you for writing this blog. That helped me very much.
Greetings from Florida! I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can't wait to take a look when I get home. I'm amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I'm not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, very good site!
It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Thank you.