Restless Leg Treatment in Wichita Falls
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) May Affect Between 2-3% of the Population
The history of restless legs syndrome (RLS) dates back to the 19th century when doctors first began recognizing the condition. In 1945, a doctor named Karl-Axel Ekbom published a paper describing a disorder he called “restless legs,” and he is now considered the founder of the study of RLS.
In the following decades, research on RLS continued, and the first diagnostic criteria for the condition were developed in the 1990s. In 1995, RLS was officially recognized as a medical disorder by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, and in 2003, it was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
What Are the Symptoms of RLS?
- Sensations that begin while resting. The sensation typically begins after you’ve been lying down or sitting for an extended time, such as in a car, airplane, or movie theater.
- Relief with movement. The sensation of RLS lessens with movement, such as stretching, jiggling the legs, pacing, or walking.
- Worsening of symptoms in the evening. Symptoms occur mainly at night.
- Nighttime leg twitching. RLS may be associated with another, more common condition called periodic limb movement of sleep, which causes the legs to twitch and kick, possibly throughout the night, while you sleep.
How Does Ketamine Treat RLS?
This process involves a complex series of brain activities. Scientists believe ketamine addresses RLS by inhibiting the NMDA receptor in brain regions associated with depression and pain. The NMDA receptor is activated by glutamate, a neurotransmitter associated with learning, memory, mood regulation, and pain. When ketamine inhibits the NMDA receptor, glutamate accumulates in the space between neurons. This has a cascade of effects on the brain, resulting in relief from RLS and new neural growth.
This differs from conventional antidepressants, which initially boost serotonin activity levels in several brain areas and tangentially affect glutamate. This process usually takes weeks, sometimes months, to provide relief, while ketamine produces rapid relief from depression symptoms.
What is an Off-Label Medication?
Thanks to its wide safety margin, ketamine is an FDA-approved drug for “off-label” or less typical use.
An “off-label” use indicates a treatment the FDA did not initially authorize. The FDA approves prescription medications only for specific uses, but most medicines at some point develop off-label uses due to the emerging clinical evidence as a drug gets more use and is more closely observed.
For example, Clonidine, initially prescribed for hypertension, was observed to have helpful effects for people with ADHD. Eventually, scientists and clinicians discovered it had other uses. Now Clonidine treats nightmares in individuals with ADHD, a use that the FDA did not initially approve.
Where Will I Receive My Ketamine Infusions?
We strive to ensure all of our patients feel as comfortable as possible in their private rooms during treatment.
A number of our clients refer to a “dissociation” effect. This altered state often accompanies the shift in perspective and neurochemistry, enabling patients to heal effectively.
This experience is an ordinary part of the treatment. You will remain in a safe atmosphere with our team readily available during your infusion providing close, comfortable monitoring.
Is Ketamine Treatment the Right Solution for You?
Are you searching for the path to a pain-free life? Are you tired of trying one medication after the other only to be left with those same feelings of pain and discomfort? Then ketamine infusions might be an excellent option for you.
Getting Treatment
In addition to the physical symptoms of RLS, the condition can also have emotional and social effects. The inability to get a good night’s sleep can lead to feelings of irritability, mood changes, and difficulty concentrating. RLS can also affect your relationships and your ability to work or engage in activities you enjoy.
Treatment for RLS can help improve your symptoms and reduce the condition’s impact on your life. If you or a loved one suffers from RLS, Kairos can help. Now is the time! Contact us today.
Step Into Healing. The Time is Now.
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