Restless leg syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease or RLS, affects many people. The symptoms include an urge to move the legs due to strange or uncomfortable nerve sensations. This nerve activity typically develops after a period of inactivity such as sitting or lying down for a nap or meeting. Here are five uncommon facts about restless leg syndrome you might not know:

Restless Leg Syndrome is Usually Not Described as Painful

While chronic pain affects more than 1.5 billion people around the world, most sufferers of restless leg syndrome do not describe their symptoms as painful. Rather, the nerve sensations associated with restless leg syndrome are typically described as:

  • Crawling
  • Creeping
  • Electric
  • Throbbing
  • Pulling
  • Aching
  • Tingling
  • Burning
  • Or even itching

The symptoms are sometimes relieved by shaking the legs, stretching, pacing, or walking. Unfortunately, this simply deters the symptoms and doesn't treat the illness for long periods of time. Some sufferers of restless leg syndrome use restless leg cream or other topical nerve pain relief creams to help calm the nerve sensations associated with the condition.

Doctors Are Unsure of the Cause of Restless Leg Syndrome

While the symptoms of restless leg syndrome are fairly understood, the cause is still unknown. Various theories have linked restless leg syndrome to a dopamine imbalance, kidney disease, neuropathy, and nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, magnesium deficiency, folic acid deficiency, or vitamin B12 deficiency. Some studies have identified a genetic link for RLS, meaning that you may be more susceptible if a member of your family has it.

Restless Leg Syndrome Has No Cure Yet

Since doctors are unsure of the cause or causes of restless leg syndrome, doctors have not yet found a cure for RLS. Consequently, treatments for restless leg syndrome focus on relieving the symptoms rather than curing it. For example, some sufferers of restless leg syndrome find that topical pain relief products, such as a restless leg cream, can calm the nerve sensations caused by the condition. In addition to relieving the symptoms of RLS, doctors recommend avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine since these tend to worsen symptoms.

Restless Leg Syndrome Is Sometimes Tied to Sleep Disorders

Because restless leg syndrome often occurs after a period of inactivity such as lying down, many sufferers of restless leg syndrome have trouble sleeping. For these sufferers of RLS a sleep aid, alone or in combination with a restless leg cream, sometimes helps.

Some People Are More Susceptible to Restless Leg Syndrome Than Others

Restless leg syndrome can affect anybody. However, older people are more likely to suffer from restless leg syndrome than younger people and women are more likely to be affected by restless leg syndrome than men. Pregnant women, particularly those in the third trimester of pregnancy, can suffer from temporary bouts of restless leg syndrome. Luckily, these symptoms often disappear a few weeks after delivery.

As previously mentioned, people who have a close relative with restless leg syndrome are more likely to suffer from the genetic form of the condition than those who are not related to anyone with restless leg syndrome. People with Parkinson's disease, which is also caused by dopamine disorder, have an increased risk of developing RLS as well.

Are you suffering from the pain of restless leg syndrome? Rely on the restless leg cream offered by MagniLife to see if this is the right option for you.