Restless leg syndrome is a disturbing condition. It poses no danger, fortunately, but it makes sleeping a difficult proposition.
Dr. Lisa Wolfe practices sleep medicine. She recommends various treatments for restless leg syndrome, checking for possible iron deficiency. Various medications may be useful.
Dr. Wolfe is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Northwestern University. She is a member of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Biology.
(Transcribed from video interview)
Dr. Wolfe:
Restless leg syndrome is a movement disorder. It’s the overwhelming urge to move legs. It’s mostly at night and with sleep time, and it can occur any age.
Restless leg syndrome can be different in different people. What unifies patients is that if they move and feel better, it’s probably restless legs. They may have pain; they may have tingling sensations; they may have no sensations at all but just know things are better if they keep moving.
Restless leg syndrome can be treated with medications. First, patient should be screened for iron deficiency, and if iron deficiency is found, both the cause of the iron deficiency and treatment for that should be investigated. Beyond iron deficiency, other medications can be helpful including dopamine agonists as well as a typical anti-epileptic medications, narcotics or even benzodiazepines.
About Dr. Lisa Wolfe, M.D.:
Dr. Lisa Wolfe, M.D., earned her medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her residency and her fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Wolfe is board certified in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine and sleep medicine.
Visit Dr. Wolfe at https://www.nmff.org/findPhysician/physician.asp?id=G86495
Video:
https://www.empowher.com/restless-legs-syndrome/content/what-restless-legs-syndrome-dr-wolfe-video