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You are going about your day and suddenly you get the urge to move your leg. You can*t control it, it will move regardless of what you do. Afterward, the movement gives you a weird feeling of relief. What in the world is this?

Or, you are in bed sleeping at night and you wake up when your legs jerk quickly. Startled, it takes you a few minutes to fall back asleep. What in the world was that?

Restless Leg Syndrome Explained

If these situations sound like something that has happened to you, you might be one of the millions of Americans who suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. Restless leg syndrome, also referred to as RLS, or Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome, is an uncomfortable and widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition, thought to be caused by a neurological disorder.

Understanding what causes restless leg syndrome is a feat that doctors haven*t quite mastered yet. Reasons for what causes restless leg syndrome runs the gamut from dehydration, a brain disorder, some forms of medications, stimulants like caffeine or the consumption of some fats and carbohydrates.

Doctors consider there to be two types of Restless Leg Syndrome. Primary Restless Leg Syndrome comes from genetics and will generally last throughout your life. Secondary Restless Leg Syndrome comes from non-hereditary sources like medications and stimulants.

How to Treat Restless Leg Syndrome

Because the exact reasons for what causes Restless Leg Syndrome isn*t known for sure, the methods to treating the condition will vary from person-to-person.

If you think you have Secondary Restless Leg Syndrome resulting from some medication you are taking, ask your doctor if you can discontinue using the medication to see if it helps. If it decreases in frequency or disappears, you know your answer. Also, if it is caused by caffeine, you can stop using the stimulant to see if the conditions improve.

However, if you suffer from Primary Restless Syndrome because your family has a history of it, the best way to treat it is to stay away from the stimulants that aggravate it. The symptoms most likely won*t disappear, but you can continue to treat it with hot baths, massages and a regular exercise program.

Dealing with the Annoyances

Though you can deduct what causes Restless Leg Syndrome in your body, it does not mean that it will stop completely or that it will become less annoying as time goes on.

Fortunately, you are not alone. Because so many people deal with Restless Leg Syndrome, you do not have to be fearful of people's reactions to it when it occurs in public. The discussion of the condition may help open doors to further exploration of what causes it.

Who knows, doctors may someday pinpoint the exact reasons to what causes Restless Leg Syndrome. Wouldn*t that be a joyous occasion?