What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?

How your sleep specialist in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, can help if you have restless leg syndrome

A night of restful sleep is your body’s chance to recharge itself. If you are tossing and turning during the night, feeling like you have to move, you and your body can’t get the rest you need. You could have restless leg syndrome, a common condition that can be treated by your sleep specialist.

Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists provides a wide variety of services to help you sleep well, including treatment of restless leg syndrome. He has two convenient office locations in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, to help you.

Restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS, can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Genetics
  • Iron deficiency
  • Poor kidney function
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Depression
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Diabetes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Peripheral neuropathy

Some medications can also cause symptoms of RLS. These medications include:

  • Antidepressants
  • Allergy medications
  • Anti-nausea medications

There are several signs and symptoms of RLS which can occur when you are lying down or sitting still for a long period of time. You may feel:

  • An extreme urge to move your legs or arms
  • Creeping, crawling sensations in your legs or arms
  • Throbbing, itching, or aching in your legs or arms

The first step in diagnosing RLS is to have a sleep study. Your sleep specialist can determine whether you have RLS or another sleep disorder. Once a diagnosis is made, your sleep specialist will determine the appropriate type of treatment, so you can sleep well again.

Treatment for RLS can include dietary modifications to avoid:

  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco use

Medications are also part of RLS treatment. These medications are designed to:

  • Help relieve nervous system issues
  • Help you relax and ease into sleep
  • Help relax tense muscles in your arms and legs

To find out more about the causes and treatment of restless leg syndrome, talk with an expert. Call Dr. Jeremy McConnell at Florida Sleep Specialists. You can reach him In Bradenton, FL, by calling (941) 792-8383, or in the Sarasota, FL, office by calling (941) 827-0701, so call today.