The doctor told about the signs of restless legs syndrome

Nighttime twitching, goosebumps, itching, and the desire to constantly move your legs may not just be fatigue — these are possible symptoms of restless legs syndrome. As Oksana Pivovarova, a professor at the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, explained to Izvestia on July 17, this condition belongs to chronic neurological diseases and requires the attention of specialists.

"Unpleasant sensations in the legs (tingling, burning, itching, a feeling of "goosebumps", pulling pain) and a strong desire to move them, especially in a calm state, involuntary twitching of the legs during sleep are symptoms of a chronic neurological disease — restless legs syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease). These symptoms usually worsen in the evening and at night, which can cause sleep problems, worsen general well-being, and reduce the quality of life. With any movement (walking, stretching), the symptoms weaken, while at rest they increase," the specialist noted.

According to her, possible causes include a genetic predisposition, iron deficiency, malfunctions of the dopamine system of the brain, chronic pathologies such as kidney failure, diabetes mellitus or anemia, as well as taking certain medications, including antidepressants, antihistamines and beta blockers.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor can refer the patient for blood tests (including ferritin and B vitamins), polysomnography (sleep study) and electroneuromyography, which allows to assess the functioning of the nervous system.

"Treatment can be non—medicinal — it includes lifestyle changes (reducing caffeine, alcohol consumption, quitting smoking), moderate physical activity (yoga, stretching), contrast baths, foot massage before bedtime, as well as replenishing iron, magnesium, vitamin B12 deficiency (if there is a shortage)," - Pivovarova added.

She stressed that in some cases, drug therapy may be required, using dopaminergic and anticonvulsant drugs. If the symptoms become severe and interfere with life, you should consult a neurologist or somnologist, and as a self—help, start by correcting your sleep pattern and checking your iron levels.

Dmitry Stavtsev, a surgeon and phlebologist at SM Clinic, told Izvestia on April 11 that "vascular asterisks" are not an independent disease and in most cases are simply cosmetic discomfort. However, sometimes they can appear with hormonal changes, metabolic disorders, and also be one of the manifestations of certain diseases.