Interesting...?!

Interesting...?

Help me i need to find out how to treat RLS caused by my anemia!! it bothers me

All people with RLS should have their ferritin levels tested; ferritin levels should be at least 50 mcg for those with RLS. Oral iron supplements, taken under a doctor's care, can increase ferritin levels. For some people, increasing ferritin will eliminate or reduce RLS symptoms. A ferritin level of 50 mcg is not sufficient for some sufferers and increasing the level to 80 mcg may greatly reduce symptoms. However, at least 40% of people will not notice any improvement. Treatment with IV iron is being tested at the US Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Hospital. It is dangerous to take iron supplements without first having ferritin levels tested, as many people with RLS do not have low ferritin and taking iron when it is not called for can cause iron overload disorder, potentially a very dangerous condition.

Generally, the cause of RLS is unknown, but several factors are known to be associated with it:
* Family History – RLS does seem to run in families, although a genetic origin has not been discovered.
* Low iron levels or anemia – Increasing iron levels may help alleviate the symptoms of RLS.
* Pregnancy – Many women experience RLS in the last months of pregnancy. The symptoms often go away within a few weeks after delivery.
* Neurologic lesions – People with spinal cord and peripheral nerve lesions often report symptoms of RLS, although the cause is not clear.
* Chronic diseases – Kidney failure quite often leads to RLS. RLS is also associated Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. Treating the underlying condition often provides relief from RLS symptoms.
* Medications – Symptoms might be exacerbated or triggered by some types of medications including: tricyclic antidepressants, anti-nausea and anti-seizure drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), lithium, and some cold and allergy drugs.
* Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use – Decreasing or eliminating caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco from your diet and lifestyle may improve symptoms.

Treatment for RLS depends on the individual characteristics of the case. Some possible treatments include:
* Iron supplements – For patients with anemia or low iron levels, increasing iron intake can alleviate or eliminate the condition.
* Behavior therapy – For mild to moderate cases of RLS (or secondary RLS), your doctor may advise behavioral or lifestyle changes. Some RLS patients find that walking, stretching, yoga, massage, hot or cold baths and relaxation rituals help alleviate their symptoms.
* Drug therapy – In more severe cases of RLS and PLMD, drug therapy might be recommended to control symptoms. Generally, physicians choose from dopaminergics, benzodiazepines (central nervous system depressants), opioids, and anticonvulsants. Dopaminergic agents, largely used to treat Parkinson's disease, have been shown to reduce RLS symptoms and PLMD and are considered the initial treatment of choice.
* Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – Helps to reduce nighttime leg jerking in patients experiencing severe RLS by applying electrical stimulation to an area of the feet or legs. The therapy is done before bedtime for 15 to 30 minutes.