Restless Leg Syndrome More Common For Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Restless leg syndrome, which is also referred to as just ‘RLS’ is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to rest or sleep as a result of uncomfortable sensations in the limbs. A recent study found that people who suffered with fibromyalgia were ten times more likely to suffer RLS symptoms.

While sleep disruption is very common in fibromyalgia patients, it was discovered that it was even more common in those that had RLS as well and, in fact, most of the difficulties were more closely tied to restless leg syndrome.

Of the 235 people studied, more than seventy percent were diagnosed with fibromyalgia and ninety-three percent of those were female. It is estimated that this condition affects as many as five million Americans over of the age of eighteen, with the vast majority being women. Thirty-three percent of the fibromyalgia patients studied also had symptoms of RLS, as opposed to just three percent of the control group members.

As a result of the findings, researchers believe that problems of fatigue, which are very common among fibromyalgia sufferers, could potentially be resolved by treating RLS. They further assert that the two conditions do have logical overlap as both include abnormal sensory actions, and a possible tie to improper release of dopamine within the body has been suggested for both conditions as well. Furthermore, it is thought that RLS is often attributed to the use of antidepressants, a class of drug commonly used as treatment for fibromyalgia.

Keeping track of your pain symptoms and treatments can greatly improve your communication with your pain doctor and the success of your treatment.

To learn more about the study and the possible connection between the two disorders, read the full article at http://www.sciencedaily.com