RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME - A REVIEW

Restless legs syndrome is characterized by unpleasant, deep-seated par esthesias in the legs and sometimes the arms. These sensations occur a t rest and are relieved by movement, Sleep disturbance is common. Many patients also have periodic movements of sleep, Mild symptoms of rest less legs occur in up to 5% of the population. Restless legs syndrome is idiopathic in most patients, but it may be the presenting feature o f iron deficiency and is also common in uremia, pregnancy, diabetes me llitus, rheumatoid arthritis, and polyneuropathy, Treatment of the und erlying cause, when possible, usually relieves the symptoms. For patie nts with severe symptoms, levodopa, bromocriptine mesylate, opioids, c arbamazepine, clonazepam, and clonidine hydrochloride have proved to b e effective.