What causes restless legs

There are many types of restless legs, which generally include idiopathic and secondary. The time of restless legs is also not fixed. It may occur when the patient is working or resting, or when sleeping, which seriously affects the patient's rest quality. The patient can only relieve the symptoms by walking back and forth and rubbing constantly. So what causes restless legs?

First, what causes restless legs? The cause and pathogenesis of this syndrome are not very clear yet. It is now believed to be related to multiple factors such as neurological and mental factors. Some people speculate that it is related to the accumulation of tissue metabolic products caused by blood circulation disorders in the feet based on the characteristics that the symptoms occur at rest and are relieved after exercise. Others believe that this syndrome is more common in peripheral neuropathy caused by anemia, diabetes, alcoholism, and vitamin deficiency, so it is speculated to be related to metabolic disorders.

Second, paresthesia of the lower limbs: a sensation of ants crawling, insects crawling and wandering, indescribable discomfort in random parts of the limbs, deep in the muscles. Some patients complain of feeling in the "bones". This paresthesia is mostly limited to the lower limbs (between the knees and ankles), mainly in the calf area, and sometimes includes both feet and knees. It is generally bilaterally symmetrical, and it is rare for it to appear alternately on the left and right sides. Involvement of the upper extremities is rare and, if it occurs, is much milder than that of the lower extremities.

Third, leg restlessness: Because the discomfort in the lower limbs only lasts for a few seconds or a minute, it occurs repeatedly. It does not occur when you are busy at work, but is very severe when you are resting, after get off work, and at night. Therefore, you like to walk to relieve the discomfort, or rub and beat the local muscles constantly. Apart from this, it is difficult to find a way to relieve the discomfort. You will toss and turn while lying in bed and move your lower limbs. In severe cases, it is difficult to fall asleep. Involuntary flexion of the lower leg often occurs when awake, lying down, or sitting down to rest.

What causes restless legs? Idiopathic syndrome is related to underlying genetic factors. Most patients with restless legs syndrome are idiopathic, with a clear family history, a younger age of onset, and a longer course of illness; while secondary syndrome may be related to the effects of certain diseases or environmental factors. These people develop the disease later, which may be related to iron deficiency.