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...experts have known about RLS for years, a broader lack of awareness appears to have severely limited diagnosis of the condition. A survey conducted by the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation (RLSF) not only found that more than half of those who responded had never heard of RLS, but also found that many did not fully understand the impact that the condition can have on daily life.
"RLS is sometimes described as 'the most common condition you've never heard of,'" says Georgianna Bell, executive director of the RLSF.
The abnormal sensations (paresthesias) or unpleasant abnormal sensations (dysesthesias) often range from uncomfortable to irritating and painful.
The NINDS says that some researchers estimate that RLS affects as many as 12 million people in the United States. However, others estimate a much higher occurrence because RLS is thought to be underdiagnosed, and, in some cases, misdiagnosed. There are a number of people who don't seek medical attention, because they believe that their concerns will not be taken seriously, their symptoms are too mild, or their condition is not treatable.
In May 2005, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug treatment for RLS for which the cause is unknown (idiopathic). Called Requip (ropinirole), the drug is specifically labeled for the treatment of moderate-to-severe symptoms of the condition. According to the RLSF, the FDA's approval of Requip represents a significant step forward in patient care. "It is our hope that the millions of people suffering from RLS will benefit from this increased awareness and will more easily find the...
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