Diabetes is one of the diseases that is sometimes associated with restless legs. In such a case you speak of secondary RLS. The restless legs here stem from another condition.
With diabetes, a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle are extra important. Over the past decades, research has shown that adjustments in these areas can greatly reduce or even cure symptoms.
In this blog I look at what diabetes is and its relationship with RLS.
What is diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease. In this disease, your body cannot balance blood sugar levels. This is due to a lack of insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that ensures that carbohydrates (such as sugars) go to body cells and do not remain in your blood. With diabetes, there is too much sugar in your blood due to insulin deficiency. This is harmful to your heart, eyes, feet and kidneys in the long term.
Two types of diabetes are most well-known to the general public. In type 1 diabetes, your body stops producing insulin. In type 2 diabetes (adult-onset diabetes), your body makes too little insulin and/or is less sensitive to it.
About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. You are more likely to get it if it runs in your family, if you are overweight or if you don’t exercise enough. Diabetes is often associated with cardiovascular disease.
With this condition, you have a greater chance of developing sleep disorders. This can be insomnia, but also sleep apnea, restless legs or PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder).
Restless legs
The link between diabetes and restless legs is that diabetes affects the nerves in your body. High blood sugar levels damage your blood vessels. Blood vessels supply nerves with blood.
Nerve involvement often begins in the feet, with a tingling, numb and painful sensation. That can spread to the legs with cramping or a restless feeling in your legs. Another name for this manifestation of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy.
I have written before on the subject of neuropathy. The symptoms of neuropathy are sometimes very similar to those of RLS. In the case of a combination of neuropathy, restless legs and diabetes, a specific approach may be required in terms of medication. At least if you choose the medical route.
In any case, for diabetes, diet and lifestyle are extremely important to keep the disease in check. I think the same goes for restless legs and neuropathy. Healthy eating, sufficient exercise, ensuring relaxation and as little stress as possible may not completely solve your complaints. They will undoubtedly be softened by it.
