Restless Legs Syndrome
What is a Restless Legs Syndrome?
ARestless Legs Syndrome (SPI) is much more complex than the name might seem.
It constitutes a neurological disorder characterized by the sensation ofdiscomfortin the lower limbs, which leads to an impulse to move, walk, squeeze or massage the legs.
This discomfort often takes the form of pain, itching, tingling or numbness, it almost always occurs in the legs and gets worse at the end of the day or at night , making it extremely difficult to sleep quality. But it can also appear on the arms or other parts of the body and appear even during the day.
Make no mistake!
Restless Legs Syndrome has several facets, and because it is not very common, the diagnosis can be time-consuming and challenging for the clinical physician.
Delay in diagnosis leads to a great loss of sleep and quality of life!
How is Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosed?
The diagnosis is made in the medical consultation with the specialist doctor, through the characteristic history and also according to the response to the specific treatment.
Tests are only necessary when there is diagnostic doubt, or to rule out other possibilities that may cause similar symptoms, such as polyneuropathies, nocturnal cramps, peripheral vascular insufficiency, among others.
How is Restless Legs Syndrome treated?
RLS is treated with specific medications, the first choice being dopaminergic agonists, such as pramipexole, rotigotine, among others.
Other medications, such as gabapentin, pregabalin and even opioids are used and may be helpful as well. But every treatment should be evaluated by the doctor so that the best treatment can be defined.
Because there may be a need to adjust the dose and therefore follow-up with the specialist doctor is very important.