Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)                

Restless leg syndrome is a disorder in which there is an urge or need to move the legs to stop unpleasant sensations. RLS is commonly hereditary. When the symptoms start at a younger age, this may be a factor. RLS leads to sensations in the lower legs between the knee and ankle. This feeling makes you uncomfortable unless you move your legs. These sensations usually occur at night when you lie down or sometimes during the day when you sit for a long period of time. It is often described as creeping, crawling, aching, pulling, tingling, searing or crawly. It can sometimes occur in the upper leg, feet or arms

Most patients have rhythmic leg movements during sleep hours called periodic limb movement disorders. These symptoms often interfere with sleep and make it difficult to sit for long periods of time in air or car travel or through classes or meeting.

There is no known cure for this syndrome and no specific test to diagnose it. Gentle stretching exercises, massage and warm baths may help. There are some medications that are effective in controlling the symptoms. Because iron deficiently may cause this syndrome, iron deficiently anemia needs to be ruled out.

This syndrome was first described by Sir Thomas Willis (1621-75). In January 2011, the RLS Foundation voted unanimously to change the name of this syndrome to Willis-Ekbom disease in acknowledgement of the Swedish physician who first termed it “restless legs” in 1944.

Generic Medications 

Generic drugs are the same as a brand name in dosage, safety, strength, quality, the way it works and is taken and in the way it should be used.

Generic drugs cost less as they are not created from scratch. Initially the drug costs considerable money to develop and therefore the initial cost must be recovered for the trademark drug.

When a new drug is first made, it is under a patent. Most drug patents are protected for 17 years. The patent protects the company that manufactures the drug. When that time expires, other drug companies can then start selling the drug. Brand names are not better than generic drugs, as all factories must meet the same high standards.

When you are buying over-the-counter medications, read the labels and compare the active ingredients. You can save a lot of money by buying the generic version.

So You Think a Tan Looks Healthy?

Any tan is a sign of skin damage warns the Food and Drug Administration. A tan results from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, forcing the skin to produce more melanin, the pigment that darkens skin. This process can lead to aging of the skin and skin cancer.

UV radiation includes UVB rays that penetrate the top layers of skin to cause sunburn and UVA rays that penetrate deeper layers of skin to cause allergic reactions. Both types of rays can cause DNA damage that leads to skin cancer.

Lamps used in tanning salons emit both types of radiation, according to the FDA. So the next time you are tempted to lie in the sun or use the tanning bed, remember you are asking for skin damage that can lead to future problems.