Can’t stand still? Dr. Kinga Vereczkey-Porter discusses restless legs syndrome

Doctors, including Kinga Vereczkey-Porter, would define the restless legs syndrome (RLS) as a neurological disorder characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs and arms, leading to discomfort, sleep deprivation, pain, and stress. In 2011, the RLS Foundation changed its name to Willis-Ekbom disease, in recognition of the physicians who made great contribution in the study of the disease.

Kinga Vereczkey-Porter Image credit: Rheumatologistdoctor.net

On the surface, the change of name is applied because ‘restless legs’ is an oxymoron, suggesting a comical meaning to those who don’t understand the disorder. The term ‘Willis-Ekbom disease’ makes clear how pathological restlessness affects the normal function of the limbs. The name covers all the important components of the disorder, including the current knowledge about brain dopamine, brain iron, and the genetic factors associated with the condition.

Kinga Vereczkey-Porter Image credit: Timeinc.net

For internists, including Dr. Kinga Vereczkey-Porter, changing the name from syndrome to disease is highly applicable given that the pathophysiology of the condition is now known. Syndrome signifies only ‘a collection of symptoms.’ It’s also good to hear that the new moniker eliminates all the trivial factors surrounding the condition, lessening the stigma of and advocating respect for those suffering from the disease.

Kinga Vereczkey-Porter Image credit: TheRunawayWeb.com

Dr. Kinga Vereczkey-Porter specializes in internal medicine and is the director of Sanford Specialty Clinics in North Carolina. For more details about her, visit this Twitter page.