Secondary Restless Legs Syndrome

At Texas Sleep Medicine, our sleep clinic, located in Austin, TX, diagnoses and treats people suffering from sleep disorders. More than 70 million people in the US experience sleep disorders, affecting men, women, and children alike. Yet, most go without treatment. Poor sleep habits disrupt your overall quality of life which is why our Austin sleep clinic provides patients with the highest standards in sleep medicine. Texas Sleep Medicine in Austin is committed to raising awareness and advancing improvements in sleep medicine. Often under treated, a common disorder we see with our patients is Restless Legs Syndrome.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sleep related disorder described as uncomfortable sensations deep in the legs accompanied by an irresistible need to move the legs. Typically, the symptoms are worse while resting and during the evening or night. Restless Legs Syndrome often makes it difficult for a person to go to sleep or return to sleep after waking in the night. It is still unclear what causes RLS, although there is a strong link to a genetic predisposition, with about half of patients reporting a positive family history. However, Restless Legs Syndrome can be caused by an underlying medical condition. Thus, those with RLS symptoms require a thorough medical exam and blood screening by an Austin physician.

Secondary Restless Legs Syndrome occurs as a result of an underlying medical condition or in association with the use of certain drugs. For example, some conditions that may cause secondary RLS include kidney failure, low levels of iron, anemia, thyroid problems, pregnancy, and peripheral neuropathy. The use of certain prescription or over-the-counter medications may cause or aggravate restless legs syndrome. Medications that may cause or aggravate Restless Legs Syndrome symptoms include many anti-nausea drugs; certain medications that prevent or control seizures; several antipsychotic drugs; and some cold and allergy medications. Your Austin sleep doctor can explain the specific drugs included in these categories.

Treatment of secondary Restless Legs Syndrome involves identifying the underlying cause and treating the cause, if possible. When a medication is suspected to be the cause, replacement drugs may be suggested by your Austin sleep doctor. For those with secondary Restless Legs Syndrome who do not respond to treatment of the underlying condition should then be treated and considered as having primary Restless Legs Syndrome.

If you are experiencing symptoms of RLS or any other sleep disturbances, please contact our Austin sleep clinic for a consultation.

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Secondary Restless Legs Syndrome