RLS is a state from which millions of individuals all over the planet suffer from everyday. There has been varying degrees of research done on this syndrome but no one has been able to specifically say what causes it, although a recent study done by a group of researchers at Penn State College of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University was able to locate what may be a credible cause. More on that later in this article. What is recognized about the cause of restless leg syndrome is that its beginning appear to center around problems with brain chemistry and nerve impulses that control the legs. Researchers have found that individuals who suffer from this disorder have nerve impulses that cause the legs to move or shift in reaction to the feeling that something is crawling around on them. The only thing that seems to lessen these creepy-crawly feelings is getting up and moving around. It is not known what causes these nerve impulses but it is supposed that diet plays a significant part in it. Caffeine has been found to be a causative agent for individuals with restless leg syndrome as it stimulates the brain to send out movement and pain signals to the legs of those affected. Many people who suffer from Restless leg syndrome have eliminated caffeine from their diet and discovered that their symptoms have lessened or gone away. Many people who suffer from RLS have found that stress or emotional concerns makes their symptoms get worse. Stress and mental fatigue could affect mind function and the way it sends signals to the rest of the body. By reducing or eliminating stress the symptoms of restless leg syndrome may be reduced. Medical research believes most of the problems associated with restless leg syndrome have to do with vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These deficiencies will cause chemical imbalances in the mind and of particular concern is a deficit of iron. This brings us to the study done by Penn State and Johns Hopkins. In a report out in June of 2003 the researchers found that cells in the mid-brain area were not getting enough iron. This significant locate pointed to the fact that Restless leg syndrome is a sensory motor disorder and is not any form of psychological problem. This means that there isn't in fact any damage to the brain cells and because they are iron deficient there is a good possibility that good treatments may be discovered. What they found is that the brain cells of the people with rLS are lacking a receptor that allows the cells to receive the amount of iron they need to function correctly. Because the cells don't have enough iron the neural signals may misfire generating the leg movement and the feelings of something crawling just under the skin. This does not necessarily mean that those with RLS are iron deficient; it's just that not enough iron is able to get into the appropriate brain cells to allow for efficient neural firing. It should also be pointed out that smoking cigarettes have been linked to Restless leg syndrome. Studies have proven that cigarette smoke decreases the body's ability to correctly absorb and metabolize vitamins a minerals causing a deficiency of these vital nutrients. Stopping smoking has been shown to decrease or get rid of the symptoms completely. Anyone who suffers or thinks they suffer from Restless leg syndrome should seek the advice of their doctor. They can run tests to help locate the cause of their rLS and help sufferers take the correct steps to effectively cure their state.
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It is not known what causes these nerve impulses but it is believed that diet plays a significant part in it. Caffeine has been discovered to be a causative agent for people with restless leg syndrome as it stimulates the brain to send out movement and pain signals to the legs of those affected. Many individuals who suffer from RLS have eliminated caffeine from their diet and discovered that their symptoms have lessened or gone away.
Do You Have RLS Legs? Check Out This Blog For More Info. Here is a great related article on Leg Cramps Nighttime
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