Willis-Ekbom Disease, WED, makes it feel like it is tingling or crawling in your legs when you sit still for a long time, or at night when you lie in bed and go to sleep. The disease was previously called Restless Legs Syndrome, RLS, restless legs.
Willis-Ekboms is a neurological disease whose cause is unknown. Some researchers suspect that the disease is due to decreased microcirculation during the evening and night.
The disease can be primary, often hereditary, and usually debuts in the 30s to 40s. In its other form, the disease is called secondary and is not hereditary. Then it usually debuts later in life. The underlying causes may be iron deficiency, kidney failure, diabetes, a rheumatic disease or other illness. Sometimes, the symptoms are a side effect of some medicines, such as antidepressants or anti-epilepsy drugs.
It is quite common to get Willis-Ekbom’s disease during a pregnancy, especially in the last few months. The trouble usually disappears after childbirth.
Symptoms of Willis-Ekbom Disease
Common symptoms of Willis-Ekbom’s disease are:
- ant creeps, twitching or numbness in the legs
- that the legs may feel hot or cold
- sleep disorders
- pain.
The symptoms of Willis-Ekbom disease are most common in the lower legs, but the problems can also be felt higher in the legs and in the arms. They come when you sit or lie still and usually disappear when you touch your legs again. Therefore, many people with Willis-Ekbom’s disease find it difficult to sit for a long time, for example at the cinema, at meetings or during long journeys.
When and where should I seek care?
If you have problems that are difficult to relieve yourself, you can contact a health care center .
Treatment of Willis-Ekbom disease
Easier exercise usually reduces the inconvenience of Willis-Ekbom’s disease. For example, you can try walking, cycling, jogging or gym. An evening stroll before bedtime helps many, while intensive physical exercise in the evening can aggravate the symptoms of Willis-Ekbom disease.
Those who get the disease should also be careful about nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate the problems. Regular sleep times and a cool bedroom can help if the disorder interferes with your sleep.
Massage and relaxation can also provide relief, as well as warmth or cooling of the feet and legs. For example, try to shower your feet with warm or cold water, possibly alternately, or to use a heating pad.
If that doesn’t help, a doctor may prescribe medication that can relieve the trouble. Talk to a doctor at your health care center.
Influence and participate in your care
You can seek care at any medical center or open specialist clinic you want throughout the country. Sometimes referral to the open specialized care is required .
You should understand the information
In order for you to be involved in your care and treatment of Willis-Ekbom disease, it is important that you understand the information you receive from the healthcare staff.
If you need tools , you should get information about what is available and how to get it.