Restless Leg Syndrome Genetic?

If you have not been exposed to Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) or know someone who has suffered from it, you are lucky. People with RLS have a feeling one person described as a feeling of worms in their legs, particularly when sleeping or during other periods when they are sitting for any length of time.

Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs. Those who suffer from it say it often hits at night, preventing them from sleeping. Some people describe it as if knives were being dug into their legs, but for other people there is no pain. All have an uncontrollable urge to move their legs to relieve it, however.

Two separate studies have concluded that symptoms from RLS appear to have a genetic link to them. These studies were published in the New England Journal of Medicine and in the journal Nature Genetics. This is new and exciting information that may change how RLS is treated in the future.

RLS is thought to be caused by a lack of certain minerals in the body. One of the above studies did find a correlation between lower iron levels and incidence of RLS; however, no one has yet to be able to explain how these two are linked. It is also suspected that substances such as nicotine, caffeine, alcohol and some medications can trigger the symptoms. Therefore it is recommended to eat foods high in iron, folate and magnesium, limit or eliminate intake of caffeine and alcohol and if you smoke, stop smoking.

Today there are effective medications that can offer relief to many people with RLS. Years ago, quinine was prescribed because although it is a medication for malaria, it was found to be quite effective for leg and foot cramps. However, consumers began to experience serious side effects, such as liver problems, heart attacks and even death. Today, the FDA is very clear that quinine should only be used for malaria.

What is the message to take home? Well, if you suffer from RLS, although there appears to be no cure, increasing regular exercise, eating a healthy diet of foods high in iron, and limiting drinking and smoking may help. But all of us should be following that advice, anyway!

For the entire New England Journal of Medicine article, click here:

http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa072743v1

For an abstract of the study published in Nature Genetics, click here:

http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/ng2099.html