Restless Leg Syndrome Risk Factors to Identify Your Susceptibility
Since so little is known about what actually causes this condition, Restless Leg Syndrome risk factors can vary from person to person. People can develop RLS at any age, even as children. It can be a temporary affliction due to hormonal fluctuations or an ailment that lasts for years. A 65-year-old woman with a family history of the condition may be far more susceptible to RLS than a young man with no genetic link to the condition, and since symptoms can vary in severity from mild and barely noticeable to severe and completely debilitating, diagnosis is often difficult, making risk factors hard to identify.
However, there are some demographics that are believed to have higher Restless Leg Syndrome risk factors than other, and may be more prone to developing the condition:
Women - Due to hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives, women are more likely to develop RLS than men, and at a younger age.
People over 60 - As we age and our muscle tone and sleep habits change, a person who may have never experienced RLS symptoms before can develop this condition.
Mental health history - While RLS is not the cause of many mental health issues, it is often a common side effect of conditions like schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, dopamine imbalances, addictions, paranoia, and others. People with a family history of these illnesses are more susceptible to not only developing these mental health conditions, but the RLS symptoms as well.
In many cases, RLS is a manageable condition. At-home techniques can help relieve the sensations, and in severe cases there are prescription medications available from your doctor that may help. Speak with your physician in order to identify your Restless Leg Syndrome risk factors, to determine if you may suffer from this condition, and what your treatment options are.
Since so little is known about what actually causes this condition, Restless Leg Syndrome risk factors can vary from person to person. People can develop RLS at any age, even as children. It can be a temporary affliction due to hormonal fluctuations or an ailment that lasts for years. A 65-year-old woman with a family history of the condition may be far more susceptible to RLS than a young man with no genetic link to the condition, and since symptoms can vary in severity from mild and barely noticeable to severe and completely debilitating, diagnosis is often difficult, making risk factors hard to identify.
