Restless Legs Syndrome: Relief and Hope for Sleepless Victims of a Hidden Epidemic

By Robert Yoakum and Robert H. Yoakum

Book Overview

Within these pages is the promise of a long-awaited good night's rest. For decades, millions of people have experienced the irresistible urge to move their legs without understanding why. These disagreeable leg sensations get worse with inactivity, making sitting still and sleep painful and sometimes impossible. If you hold this book, you or someone you love has most likely lived with this constant discomfort, this agitated inability to rest -- restless legs syndrome. You are not alone. According to the American Medical Association, 10 to 15 percent of adult Americans have the neurological disorder known as restless legs syndrome. This underdiagnosed and treatable condition can completely overwhelm a person's life, causing stress, sleep deprivation, career difficulties, and relationship strife. Author Robert Yoakum has suffered from restless legs syndrome all of his adult life. In Restless Legs Syndrome, he has compiled a comprehensive resource on this disease, giving those afflicted with it a voice and creating a community. In addition, many of the foremost medical specialists in the field have contributed their knowledge and experience to make this the most comprehensive and timely source of information on this disease. Restless Legs Syndrome provides invaluable information for victims, their friends and loved ones, and health-care providers. Yoakum informs and advises readers on: Sleep management and alternative rest options How to enlist help from others Possible causes of restless legs syndrome Criteria for diagnosis Medical advice and treatment options The relationship of stress, dopamine, and iron Finding or creating a restless legs syndrome support group Yoakum combines empathy and understanding with practical, clear-cut information, and helpful stories from others who share their tales of relief and hope.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743280687
• ISBN13: 9780743280686
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.7" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

WISH I COULD GIVE THIS ONE MORE THAN FIVE STARS

What a wonderful and informative work! This condition has evaded public notice for some time now and the many who suffer from this awful condition have been sort of floating out there, with little understanding, and in cases, little hope. My wife has suffered from this condition for several years,had no clue as to what it was, was absolutely miserable and, to be honest, had trouble even describing what she was going through. Fortunately, her long time physician was finally able to make a diagnoses and was able to offer some relief and help. This work, by Robert H. Yoakum goes far in the explanation as to what she, and I, as her spouse, is dealing with. It cast much understanding on a little known subject. This book enlightens and encourages. It covers the long time misdiagnosis of this disease, the medical help available, suggestions on coping, hope, and clears up much false impressions which people have. It was interesting to not that people like Bill Mahr, the little twerp comedian seen on cable channels, even makes jokes about this "disease the drug companies made up to sell more drugs with." I suppose there are other books out there on the subject but I doubt if any of them are more readable that this one. There are also many web sites addressing the subject, but you really cannot replace a good book for read information. This work offers the author's suggestions on sleep management and alternative rest options, how to enlist help from others, possible causes of this syndrome, criteria for diagnosis, medical advice and treatment options, the relationship of stress, dopamine and iron and finding and creating a restless legs syndrome support group. I would strongly suggest that not only the sufferer of this condition read the book, but the spouse, family, etc. also give it a read...it goes quite far in building understanding, something that is sorely needed. As I said, the book is quite readable, is an absolute wealth of information as to how to find other resources and is actually quite comforting as a read within its own right. I do highly recommend this one. There is more and more information being published ever day out there and this work is a great start for those newly diagnoses and for those family members of the newly diagnosed.

Information about "Restless Legs Syndrome:...."

I have read several books about this medical condition. I got the name of this particular book from a medical periodical to which we subscribe. I originally borrowed a copy from the library. I was so impressed with the information in the book, that I bought a copy for myself, and a copy for a relative who suffers from RLS. It is an outstanding book. JS/TS

Great and Helpful Book on a Serious Disease

This is an excellent book, very reader-friendly, and filled with anecdotes from real people who suffer with this common yet vastly underdiagnosed condition. It is informative, well-written, and will be helpful to any who suffer from RLS, or anyone who cares for people who have this sometimes debilitating disease.

Authoritative, Comprehensive and Readable presentation of RLS

In 1994 the author wrote an article describing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) for Modern Maturity (now AARP Magazine). Even the editor was dumbfounded when 40,000 letters came in, many, many of the writers saying they thought they were the only one who had the condition, that they couldn't find a doctor who would listen to them or treat them. Robert Yoakum was eminently qualified to write that article because he had already suffered years with the condition. In addition, he was an experienced and successful journalist. Ever since then he has been doing research for this book. Reading it makes one aware of just how much he has invested in it. The reader will be amply rewarded. If you, or anyone you know, suffers from what may be RLS, you will be able to take this book to a doctor and discuss possible treatments to relieve your discomfort -- principally loss of sleep. Both you and your doctor will be better informed as a result.