Restless Legs Syndrome: Some Medications, Including Antidepressants, Thyroid Drugs, Antipsychotics, and Pain Relievers, Can Trigger or Aggravate Restless Legs Syndrome.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that creates an unpleasant sensation in the legs, along with an irresistible urge to move them. Despite being relatively common, it is often underdiagnosed and misunderstood. Therefore, doctors treating this condition emphasize the need to raise awareness.
Restless Legs Syndrome, Jennifer Goldschmidt, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, told Yahoo Life, “Many people are unaware of this disorder. What I often hear is that people confuse RLS with nervous leg shaking or a simple habit.”
Restless Legs Syndrome Is A Real Issue
Restless Legs Syndrome, Doctors often find themselves having to remind people that RLS is a genuine medical condition. Dr. Ronil Malkani, a sleep specialist at Northwestern Medicine, says, “I’ve heard people say that RLS was invented by pharmaceutical companies just to sell more medications, but that’s not true.”
Dr. W. Christopher Winter, a neurologist, also mentions that he constantly has to correct misconceptions that RLS is “imaginary” or “normal.” He adds, “When we call it Restless Legs Syndrome, people tend to think it’s not serious, but it is. For some individuals, it can be so severe that they can’t sleep. It affects their quality of life and emotional state. This is why the medical community is trying to use its alternative name, Willis-Ekbom Disease.”
Iron Deficiency Is A Key Cause
Restless Legs Syndrome, According to Dr. Andrew R. Spector, people with RLS often have low iron levels. Consequently, their condition may improve when they take iron supplements. He further explains that even individuals whose iron levels are in the normal range can benefit from iron supplementation: “People think that because their blood iron levels are good, the iron in their brain is also adequate. But sometimes, when we treat them with iron, they get better.”
However, iron supplements or iron-rich foods do not work for everyone. Dr. Spector explains, “This treatment has its limitations. Some people need very high iron levels that are difficult to reach through diet or supplements alone. For these individuals, we may resort to iron infusions.”
Certain Medications Can Trigger RLS
Restless Legs Syndrome, Some medications, including antidepressants, thyroid drugs, antipsychotics, and pain relievers, can trigger or exacerbate Restless Legs Syndrome. Many of these interactions seem to revolve around dopamine balance in the body. According to Goldschmidt, dopamine dysregulation is recognized as one of the primary mechanisms and underlying causes of RLS, though research in this area is ongoing.
Antihistamines can also alter dopamine balance. If you rely on antihistamines to relieve allergies, Dr. Spector recommends choosing a non-sedating option. However, solving this issue with antidepressants can be trickier. If you find that an antidepressant works well for you and you don’t want to switch, then don’t change it, because treating depression is more complex and more important. But if your RLS was under control and started acting up after initiating a new antidepressant, you might consider switching medications.
Women Are More Prone To RLS Than Men
Restless Legs Syndrome, Some research suggests that women are more susceptible to RLS than men. Specialists say the reason is “largely unknown.” One theory is that the female hormone estrogen influences the transmission of dopamine and glutamate (a neurotransmitter involved in brain function), causing RLS in some women. Blood loss during menstruation may also play a role, as it can lead to iron deficiency.
RLS Becomes More Common With Age
Restless Legs Syndrome, RLS is typically more prevalent in individuals aged 45 and older, and cases that appear before age 45 are referred to as early-onset RLS. This condition has also been observed in children. RLS may be linked to other health conditions such as neuropathy, spinal cord disease, and kidney disease, which tend to emerge with age.
Weighted Blankets May Be Helpful
Dr. Spector suggests that weighted blankets might help some people, though this recommendation is based on personal experience and lacks scientific backing. In some cases, mechanical stimulation like firm massages or heavy blankets alleviates the unusual sensations in the legs of many sufferers.
Restless Legs Syndrome, He also advises avoiding certain substances like caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sugar before bedtime, as these classic triggers are enough to cause problems for some individuals.
Restless Legs Syndrome, Ultimately, doctors stress that RLS is a real and important condition that requires medical attention if symptoms arise. Dr. Spector states, “Many people suffer from this condition for a long time and think they will have to endure it forever, but that’s not true. We can often treat the issue or at least alleviate the symptoms.”
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