DISEASE
The old name was Restless Legs Syndrome; the new name is Willis-Ekbom Disease.
A syndrome is usually a consistent constellation of symptoms with no obvious cause, for example, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
In contrast, a disease is usually something with a known or suspected cause. Now that we know more about RLS/WED, it's becoming apparent that it does indeed have a root cause in many cases: genetic, low iron, pregnancy, and dialysis, to name a few.
A syndrome is usually a consistent constellation of symptoms with no obvious cause, for example, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
In contrast, a disease is usually something with a known or suspected cause. Now that we know more about RLS/WED, it's becoming apparent that it does indeed have a root cause in many cases: genetic, low iron, pregnancy, and dialysis, to name a few.
Last edited by Chipmunk on Wed Nov 09, 2011 2:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tracy
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the WED/RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the WED/RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
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nice answer chip
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.
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except - the old name was Restless LegS Syndrome
(plural legs) (one of our pet peeves)
(plural legs) (one of our pet peeves)
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.
badnights wrote:except - the old name was Restless LegS Syndrome
(plural legs) (one of our pet peeves)
I have no idea what you're talking about!
Tracy
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the WED/RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the WED/RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
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Gill:
Forget 'symptom'.
It used to be a 'syndrome' -
now because of new knowledge gained it is a 'disease'.
Forget 'symptom'.
It used to be a 'syndrome' -
now because of new knowledge gained it is a 'disease'.
Betty
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation
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Ad Polar Bear said, it's now a disease. And, because it's not only in our legs and it's not just about being restless, the restless and legs are gone, too. That meant finding a new name. So, it's named after people who historically were instrumental in studying it, Willis and Ekbom.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.