Debunking Restless Leg Syndrome Myths and Misconceptions

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Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is also referred to as Willis-Ekbom Disease and is a common syndrome that affects several people worldwide. However, the disorder is often disregarded for various reasons and never gets diagnosed. It is even unrecognized among many people. The condition is associated with uncomfortable sensations within the legs, giving someone an irresistible urge to move them. In most cases, the symptoms worsen in the evenings, at night, or when someone remains inactive for a while. Anyone suffering from restless leg syndrome in El Paso can confirm they experience disturbances in their sleep. In some cases, they cannot get any sleep, which has led to the syndrome being considered a sleep disorder.

However, many people do not know much about restless leg syndrome, which has led to a lot of false information being passed around. Here we tackle some common myths and misconceptions about the syndrome that ought to be addressed. Take a look!

There is No Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome

One of the most common misconceptions about restless leg syndrome is that it does not have a precise treatment option. Some have referred to it as a sleep disorder, but that is not true. There are various treatment options that a restless leg syndrome specialist may recommend, including medications, massage, regular exercise, avoiding caffeine, and others to help them feel better. There are also life changes that improve the ability to sleep naturally.

Restless Leg Syndrome Affects Only the Legs

RLS is a disorder associated mostly with the legs, but that is not the only part of the body it affects. People living with the syndrome get sensations in their legs, but it also involves the arms, chest, or head. For some people, it is just the legs, but it can affect the arms as well, although such cases are not as common.

Only Adults Experience Restless Legs

It is not uncommon to hear people say that restless legs are something that only affects older people. However, on the contrary, various studies of children with sleep difficulty have shown that restless leg syndrome could be the cause. Most people tend to write the condition off and refer to it as “growing pains,” which is why many associate it with adults.

Restless Leg Syndrome is All in Your Head

Most patients dealing with restless leg syndrome have been led to believe that most of their symptoms originate from their head rather than being caused by a medical ailment. That is the case because of patients’ inability to describe their sensations accurately, allowing the specialist to spark medical diagnosis. Patients might also be hesitant to seek medical help, fearing that they might not be believed.

Restless leg syndrome comes with the idea of restlessness, and it often sparks a lot of confusion and uncertainty. Most people do not know the proper cause of action and end up failing to seek treatment. They end up living with the syndrome for years when they could have consulted with a restless leg syndrome specialist and feel better moving forward. Once you have the sensations addressed, you will also be able to sleep better at night.