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Monday,
Sep 27 - AWHONN's Block Party
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Title: A Case Study of Restless Legs Syndrome During Pregnancy: "Thank you for listening when I couldn't sleep because of the 'electricity' running through my legs at night."
Discipline: Women’s Health (WH), Childbearing (CB), Advanced Practice (AP)
Learning Objectives:
Submission Description:- Examine for the presence of a sleep disorder during pregnancy, such as restless legs syndrome, utilizing the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group diagnostic criteria, and identify the adverse affects of sleeplessness on daytime activities and labor outcomes.
- Describe proposed etiologies and treatments for primary and secondary RLS in the pregnant population.
- Consider nursing care for special populations that suffer from RLS: breastfeeding mothers and high-risk pregnancies on bedrest.
Scientific research has allowed a better understanding of the etiology and possible treatments of restless legs syndrome a (RLS). First described in the 1600’s, long before the advent of dopamine
agonists, RLS has come to be known as the "most common disorder you've never heard of". The 2nd International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group has published diagnostic criteria for this disorder that affects up to 10% of the general population and up to 26% of pregnant women. As a sensori-motor disorder that affects sleep, RLS is also considered a sleep disorder. Sleep deprivation can adversely affect daytime activities, the quality of life and even the length of labor and mode of delivery. As nurses we listen to what our patients/ clients have to say. We may be the first to hear the symptoms of RLS while taking a complete or interval health history and utilizing the IRLSSG 4 diagnostic criteria during a symptom analysis. A correct diagnosis will lead to an appropriate plan of care that includes education about lifestyle changes to help control symptoms, as well as pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. Understanding the diagnostic criteria and treatments for RLS can lead to increased sleep time which can positively impact daytime activities (quality of life, alertness, length of labor and type of delivery). Women who suffer from RLS with high risk pregnancies that must be on bed rest can be offered education and treatment for relief of symptoms. Women who suffer from RLS in their arms and desire to breastfeed can be offered creative positions for feedings. This Case Study will discuss the diagnostic criteria for RLS, its etiology, and proposed treatments, both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic.
agonists, RLS has come to be known as the "most common disorder you've never heard of". The 2nd International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group has published diagnostic criteria for this disorder that affects up to 10% of the general population and up to 26% of pregnant women. As a sensori-motor disorder that affects sleep, RLS is also considered a sleep disorder. Sleep deprivation can adversely affect daytime activities, the quality of life and even the length of labor and mode of delivery. As nurses we listen to what our patients/ clients have to say. We may be the first to hear the symptoms of RLS while taking a complete or interval health history and utilizing the IRLSSG 4 diagnostic criteria during a symptom analysis. A correct diagnosis will lead to an appropriate plan of care that includes education about lifestyle changes to help control symptoms, as well as pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments. Understanding the diagnostic criteria and treatments for RLS can lead to increased sleep time which can positively impact daytime activities (quality of life, alertness, length of labor and type of delivery). Women who suffer from RLS with high risk pregnancies that must be on bed rest can be offered education and treatment for relief of symptoms. Women who suffer from RLS in their arms and desire to breastfeed can be offered creative positions for feedings. This Case Study will discuss the diagnostic criteria for RLS, its etiology, and proposed treatments, both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic.
