My mother’s restless legs

MY 86-year-old mother has been having restless legs for the past few years. The condition has persisted despite all kinds of medications. Kindly advise me on what to do.

Abdul (by SMS)

The cause of RLS is unknown. It may run in your family or it could be due to other conditions. Restless legs in older adults are more likely to be linked to other conditions. Some cases have been linked to; Kidney problems, Low iron, Problems sleeping. RLS is most common in pregnancy and in people with: Chronic kidney disease, Low amount of red blood cells (anemia) caused by low iron and Disorders of the nervous system.

RLS also tends to affect women more than men. Women are twice as likely to be affected by RLS.2. There is no specific test to diagnose RLS. People with RLS are diagnosed based on their self-reported symptoms of uncomforta-ble sensations and the urge to move their legs.

Your doctor may order lab tests to check for other conditions that could be causing RLS, such as low iron or de-creased kidney function. Primary RLS has no underlying cause and is usually diagnosed before 40. Secondary RLS is more common in older people. It is linked to other age-related illnesses. The first step in treating RLS is to treat any underlying condition or lessen symptoms caused by drugs that can worsen RLS.

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It is also important to undergo the following activities that can reduce RLS; avoiding caffeine and alcohol, exercis-ing regularly at a medium intensity or level of effort, Eating a well-balanced diet, Finding distracting activities, Taking hot showers, Stretching before or around the time symptoms usually start and Maintaining good sleep habits. Older adults with RLS may benefit from drugs that prevent symptoms.

These drugs may be needed on a daily basis. It is important to discuss the best treatment options with your doctor. While some of these drugs may help prevent symptoms, it is possible that they could make your symptoms worse.