Restless Leg Syndrome ( RLS ) is a condition associated with a feeling of discomfort and painful sensation in the legs, urging the legs to be moved constantly. It is a peculiar condition where the uncanny and painful feeling soars when the legs are at rest. It brings a strong urge for the legs to be kept in motion, without any rest.
The diseased condition of RLS has been found to affect the human heart. Research has revealed that RLS can wreak real havoc in the life of any individual by causing an increased chance of heart attack and stroke. Several US researchers have observed that RLS can actually lead to some severe issues with the human heart - it has a huge impact on the heart, nearly doubling the chance of many heart ailments.
The study at the Harvard Medical School in Boston conducted a practical survey on 3,433 people aged around 68, with RLS, to reveal that they are at a higher risk of heart disease than their contemporaries without RLS.
The entire procedure of surveying and observation was conducted through a list of questionnaires presented to the participants. Several questions were asked on the history of their health like whether they had been affected by cardiovascular disease or not, prior to having RLS.
The research finally inferred that the participants inflicted with RLS had a rapid deterioration of their cardiovascular organ. Researchers further confirm that the observation has remained the same for participants of all ages, sex and body mass index.
Dr. John W. Winkelman, a study author specializing in RLS study confirmed that the risk of stroke and heart ailments is higher in patients who get more than 16 RLS attacks a month. However, he also confirmed that RLS does not directly cause heart disease but only aggravates the condition if the patient has any pre-existing cardiovascular ailments.
RLS is also suspected of affecting the heart adversely as it is associated with sleeplessness. Sleep disturbance is the primary clinical complaint with RLS patients and over 60% of patients with clinically significant RLS report at least 3 awakenings per night.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Causes and Risk Factors of Muscle Cramps
People often suffer muscle cramps in feet, hands, arms, abdomen and sometimes along the entire rib cage. Such cramps are characterized by severe pain that lasts for a few seconds or even up to 15 minutes. However, in some cases there are recurring bouts of cramping that continue for a period of time.
Actually, muscle cramps are involuntary and forceful contractions of the muscles that results in hard bulging muscles and pain. The pain continues while the muscle remains locked in spasm. Muscle twitching, known as fasciculation, is caused by contractions of local involuntary muscles. In most cases, only individual muscle groups linked with specific motor neurons are affected due to muscle cramps.
Most often, the muscles that span two joints are prone to cramps. Cramps can also affect the skeletal muscles. Some of the most common groups of muscles affected by cramps is the front thigh muscle (quadriceps), back of lower leg/calf muscle (gastrocnemius) and inner thigh muscle (hamstring).
Causes of Muscle Cramps
According to some researchers, cramps are caused due to muscle fatigue or undesired stretching that results in breakdown of the muscle. This in turn leads to the malfunction of the mechanism that controls muscle contraction. Some of the other causes of cramping include excessive dehydration or intense heat. A common cause of muscle cramping is a nutrient imbalance that leads to the depletion of certain electrolytes, such as sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium. This causes the muscles to become irritated. A nutrient imbalance can be caused by poor nutrition.
Here are some of the common causes of muscle cramps:
- Dehydration
- Heavy exercise
- Pregnancy
- Heat Cramps
- Muscle fatigue and/or injury
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Excessive perspiration
Rare causes of muscle cramps:
- Inflammatory disorders such as Polymyositis
- Drugs such as Lithium
- Alcohol
- Tetanus
- Bacterial infection
- Muscle metabolism disorders
- Dermatomyositis - cause multiple muscle cramps
The expansion and contraction of muscle fibers causes movement. The muscle fibers are lengthened due to stretching especially during tough exercises. If someone starts rigorous exercise without performing stretching exercises, his muscles are fatigued, which in turn leads to changes in spinal neural reflex activity and the electrical signals are mixed up.
Chances of the occurrence of muscle cramps are more likely in hot weather. The body can become dehydrated due to sweating, which reduces the supply of essential salts and minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Sometimes due to over-exertion, the oxygen supply in muscles is reduced and this produces waste products and spasm. As the cramp occurs, the spinal cord stimulates the muscles to continue contraction leading to intense pain.
It is important to know that in most cases, muscle cramps are not life-threatening. However, these cramps sometimes indicate the symptoms of other ailments such as atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). Therefore, it is important that the symptoms be diagnosed in time to prevent potential long-term health issues. Regular cramping or severe cramping that lasts longer than a few minutes should always be investigated by your doctor.
Actually, muscle cramps are involuntary and forceful contractions of the muscles that results in hard bulging muscles and pain. The pain continues while the muscle remains locked in spasm. Muscle twitching, known as fasciculation, is caused by contractions of local involuntary muscles. In most cases, only individual muscle groups linked with specific motor neurons are affected due to muscle cramps.
Most often, the muscles that span two joints are prone to cramps. Cramps can also affect the skeletal muscles. Some of the most common groups of muscles affected by cramps is the front thigh muscle (quadriceps), back of lower leg/calf muscle (gastrocnemius) and inner thigh muscle (hamstring).
Causes of Muscle Cramps
According to some researchers, cramps are caused due to muscle fatigue or undesired stretching that results in breakdown of the muscle. This in turn leads to the malfunction of the mechanism that controls muscle contraction. Some of the other causes of cramping include excessive dehydration or intense heat. A common cause of muscle cramping is a nutrient imbalance that leads to the depletion of certain electrolytes, such as sodium, magnesium, calcium and potassium. This causes the muscles to become irritated. A nutrient imbalance can be caused by poor nutrition.
Here are some of the common causes of muscle cramps:
- Dehydration
- Heavy exercise
- Pregnancy
- Heat Cramps
- Muscle fatigue and/or injury
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Excessive perspiration
Rare causes of muscle cramps:
- Inflammatory disorders such as Polymyositis
- Drugs such as Lithium
- Alcohol
- Tetanus
- Bacterial infection
- Muscle metabolism disorders
- Dermatomyositis - cause multiple muscle cramps
The expansion and contraction of muscle fibers causes movement. The muscle fibers are lengthened due to stretching especially during tough exercises. If someone starts rigorous exercise without performing stretching exercises, his muscles are fatigued, which in turn leads to changes in spinal neural reflex activity and the electrical signals are mixed up.
Chances of the occurrence of muscle cramps are more likely in hot weather. The body can become dehydrated due to sweating, which reduces the supply of essential salts and minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Sometimes due to over-exertion, the oxygen supply in muscles is reduced and this produces waste products and spasm. As the cramp occurs, the spinal cord stimulates the muscles to continue contraction leading to intense pain.
It is important to know that in most cases, muscle cramps are not life-threatening. However, these cramps sometimes indicate the symptoms of other ailments such as atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries). Therefore, it is important that the symptoms be diagnosed in time to prevent potential long-term health issues. Regular cramping or severe cramping that lasts longer than a few minutes should always be investigated by your doctor.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tracing the Roots of Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a unique condition of a painful sensation in the legs, which tends to aggravate with rest and sleep. The condition is often referred to as some kind of neurological disorder, characterized by a burning, creeping and tugging sensation of the legs, yearning for movement in order to seek some temporary relief. The abnormal painful feeling of the legs is often termed as paresthesias - that has no specific root to its occurrence as such.
The unique RLS is associated with an irritating and painful sensation, as well as, uncomfortable condition. The condition is inevitably related to persistent fatigue and exhaustion, inability to concentrate accurately and a constant irritation on the mind and body. Quite amazingly, the patients suffer the most while relaxing or in their sleep. The syndrome takes a huge toll on the physical, mental and relationship aspects of the patient. The condition can bar people from attaining their goals, often leading them into depression.
While the symptoms and occurrence of the condition is most common among women, men are also easily prone to experiencing the pain. However, the pain and the symptoms aggravate with aging and, if not treated, may lead to further ailing syndromes. Though middle-aged and older patients fall easy prey to RLS, younger patients are not ruled out of its grasp.
What causes RLS? Several physical deformities and deficiencies pave the way for causing RLS, and approximately 25-75% of the RLS cases reported are due to heredity issues. Certain chronic diseases and health conditions may also lead to RLS.
Previously, some specialists claimed the condition to be caused by a disease in the blood vessels of the legs or by some nervous disorder. However, advanced studies revealed that the condition may be occurring due to some malfunctioning of neurotransmitters that are dedicated to muscle regulation and movement. Some issues in the central nervous system may also lead to the same.
Certain medical and physical abnormalities, such as low iron levels or anemia, often lead to RLS. Hemoglobin deficiency can pave the way for abnormalities in muscle movement and regulation. Certain chronic ailments also add up to cause RLS. Parkinson's disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy are some of the major causes of concern for the occurrence of RLS. Proper treatment of the associated condition prevents the recurrence of the RLS, curing it completely from the core.
For some pregnant women RLS can be really painful and intolerable. The last three months before delivery is often associated with the symptoms concerning RLS that usually disappear within a month of delivery in most cases.
Certain anti-seizure, anti-psychotic, and anti-nausea medications can aggravate RLS to a greater extent. Additionally, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol are considered to be the greatest boosters of RLS. The condition is often associated with heavy drinking and chain smoking.
The unique RLS is associated with an irritating and painful sensation, as well as, uncomfortable condition. The condition is inevitably related to persistent fatigue and exhaustion, inability to concentrate accurately and a constant irritation on the mind and body. Quite amazingly, the patients suffer the most while relaxing or in their sleep. The syndrome takes a huge toll on the physical, mental and relationship aspects of the patient. The condition can bar people from attaining their goals, often leading them into depression.
While the symptoms and occurrence of the condition is most common among women, men are also easily prone to experiencing the pain. However, the pain and the symptoms aggravate with aging and, if not treated, may lead to further ailing syndromes. Though middle-aged and older patients fall easy prey to RLS, younger patients are not ruled out of its grasp.
What causes RLS? Several physical deformities and deficiencies pave the way for causing RLS, and approximately 25-75% of the RLS cases reported are due to heredity issues. Certain chronic diseases and health conditions may also lead to RLS.
Previously, some specialists claimed the condition to be caused by a disease in the blood vessels of the legs or by some nervous disorder. However, advanced studies revealed that the condition may be occurring due to some malfunctioning of neurotransmitters that are dedicated to muscle regulation and movement. Some issues in the central nervous system may also lead to the same.
Certain medical and physical abnormalities, such as low iron levels or anemia, often lead to RLS. Hemoglobin deficiency can pave the way for abnormalities in muscle movement and regulation. Certain chronic ailments also add up to cause RLS. Parkinson's disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy are some of the major causes of concern for the occurrence of RLS. Proper treatment of the associated condition prevents the recurrence of the RLS, curing it completely from the core.
For some pregnant women RLS can be really painful and intolerable. The last three months before delivery is often associated with the symptoms concerning RLS that usually disappear within a month of delivery in most cases.
Certain anti-seizure, anti-psychotic, and anti-nausea medications can aggravate RLS to a greater extent. Additionally, caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol are considered to be the greatest boosters of RLS. The condition is often associated with heavy drinking and chain smoking.
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