Getting Your 'Zs'

Getting enough sleep is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, yet many people have difficulty getting the nighttime rest they need for a variety of reasons. One relatively common, but little known, condition that makes it hard for people to fall asleep is called Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).

Nearly 10 percent of adults in the U.S. endure RLS, which gives them the overwhelming urge to move their legs during sleep or during the day. This compulsion is often accompanied by unpleasant sensations of tingling, aching or "creepy crawly" feelings usually in the legs but sometimes in the arms, face, body or genital region.

RLS symptoms are most severe in the evening and nighttime. In fact, leg twitching movements that disturb sleep occur in 80 percent of the cases. Half of those with RLS have a family history of the disorder. When there is no known cause for the condition, it is called "primary RLS," which occurs in 40 percent to 60 percent of the cases. The condition can also be triggered by pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia or kidney failure; this is called "secondary RLS."

Certain medications, like those used for colds and allergies (antihistamines), high blood pressure, depression or nausea, may make RLS symptoms worse. Alcohol consumption, excessive caffeine intake and prolonged periods of immobility can also worsen symptoms.

"People can improve their RLS symptoms by eating a healthy diet, eliminating alcohol intake, reducing caffeine consumption and pursuing activities like walking, stretching, taking a hot bath, practicing relaxation techniques, doing mentally engaging tasks while staying seated, and following good sleep habits," recommends Vivien Abad, M.D., a sleep specialist at Camino Medical Group (CMG). "If symptoms are severe, you should consult your physician, who can help by prescribing medications to treat RLS."

For more information or to find a support group, go to www.rls.org or www.sleepfoundation.org.