World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) announces September 23, 2012 as Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day

[saanzale]

September 23, 2012 marks Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day. This year, the RLS Foundation in the United States and Canada, the European Alliance for Restless Legs Syndrome (EARLS), the European Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (EU-RLSSG), the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG), and the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) have joined forces to create an international coalition of individuals affected by the disease, and clinicians and neuroscientists dedicated to solving the mysteries of RLS/WED.

On September 23, 2012, these groups are coming together to recognize International Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day—a day dedicated to the continuation of educating the public and working together as we take steps towards to develop better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for RLS.

While there is currently no cure for RLS, there is effective treatment. Mild symptoms can often be successfully managed and controlled with lifestyle changes, such as increased exercise and better sleep hygiene.

For moderate and more severe cases of Restless Legs Syndrome, prescription medications can be helpful in managing the condition. In fact, in 2012, a ten-member task force from the International RLS Study Group released the “Summary of Recommendations for the Long-Term Treatment of RLS/WED.” The report outlined several classes of drugs that have been shown to be effective in the long-term treatment of RLS. These medications include dopamine agonists and alpha-2 delta ligands.

For more information on treatment guidelines—and a copy of the IRLSSG's “Summary of Recommendations for the Long-Term Treatment of RLS/WED” paper— visit irlssg.org. The full version of the press release can be viewed online at prnewswire.com/news-release....

Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day 2012 has been generously supported through an unrestricted educational grant from XenoPort.

[Daragh]

RLS-UK is a member of EARLS (European Alliance for Restless Legs Syndrome) and is also promoting Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day.

[Hidden]

Well if thats the case, maybe RLS.UK could promote this by using similar awareness as the RLS Foundation does... But RLS.UK's own take on it,.

Maybe a bit late now, as the RLS Foundation has been doing this all week..

[Daragh]

I have sent copies of the Press Release, which I received two days ago, to media outlets. We have been in contact with EARLS and were too late to become a more significant part of this year's campaign (although as members of EARLS we are in fact represented) but we plan to be an official and more significant part of the 2013 campaign, which we very much look forward to.

[Hidden]

Thats good, i would rather flood my fb page with awareness from the RLS.UK then have to use the RLS Foundation's. Even though i know its all awareness whoever is doing it...

[nightdancer]

Here Here, Elisse. We have been talking about RLS Awareness on here for the whole month. RLS Awarness Day and Week is always this same time. We have been typin our fingers off pushing awareness, like writing to newspapers, TV stations, and under the article that the Chair posted (the pro RLS article by that British reporter who is also a member of your board. We commented about RLS Awareness several times und\er that one, I think. Not wide awake today, so could be wrong on that one,

[chocchip]

hi all fellow sufferers,my name is rob and have been suffering rls for years . Although not diagnosed officially as yet i am going through the process - blood test nest fri.I had no idea there were ones out there suffering the same conditions as ive been, its only recently i started looking for relief after being prescribed Tramadol for severe back pain due to an injury at work , the tramadol was fantastic for the relief of my rls, i could actually sit or lie there of a night an enjoy reading a book or something without having to go an jog on the spot for 20 mins or walk round the lanes for an hour doing circles in the air with my arms as the restlessness goes to my shoulders an arms aswell , does my head in!!!. Since being stopped the Tramadol the rls has come back with a vengence , . Reading all your comments about problems an treatments has been helpful prompting me to get some help. But anyways , to find out there is a RLS awareness day with certain groups is amazing , looking forward to hearing some of the results of their findings. Thanks for allowing me onto this site ! Rgrds Rob aka- chocchip