Restless leg syndrome is condition that can inhibit a good night's sleep for those suffering from it. The primary symptom is that the begins to tingle without any precursor and "walk off the bed." It is a common condition in those who also suffer from Parkinson's disease. Beta blockers have shown to be both an ally and adversary in the treatment of restless leg syndrome.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are in a class of drugs that block norepinephrine and epinephrine so that they are unable to bind to a nerve's beta receptors. This drug class is known to help with heart issues such as heart arrhythmia, high blood pressure and angina. It can also help to prevent migraine and control tremors.
Cause
The actual cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown. While it is most associated with those who suffer from Parkinson's, it is not exclusive to this group. For some, taking beta blockers has resulted in restless leg syndrome with the condition being alleviated after the beta blockers are stopped. In it unknown why beta blockers serve as an antagonist in one case but can alleviate symptoms in others as discussed in Section 3.
Treatment
As a drug that is used to help with tremors, beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to treat restless leg syndrome. The most common being a blood pressure medication called clonidine. One of the major symptoms of Parkinson's disease is a loss of coordination and shaking. The ability for the beta blocker to control the tremors may be enough to control restless leg syndrome.
Tags: restless syndrome, beta blockers, blood pressure, control tremors, from Parkinson, help with