Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Restless Legs Syndrome, also called RLS or Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a neurologic and sensory disorder. It causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs that are only relieved by walking or by moving the legs.
The cause is not in the legs but in the brain. One theory is low levels of iron in the brain.
RLS may be hereditary. It is more common in women than in men, especially in middle age. It may get more severe as the person gets older.
Symptoms may happen only a few times a week and are usually worse at night.
There will be an irresistible urge to move the legs in order to relieve the uncomfortable sensations; difficulty sleeping, with daytime exhaustion and inability to concentrate; and sometimes depression and anxiety due to the effect on quality of life.
Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination. Blood tests and sleep studies may be done.
Treatment involves first addressing any underlying medical condition, such as iron deficiency. In some cases, anti-seizure medications can be helpful.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a lifelong condition movement disorder. It is caused by the malfunction and death of nerve cells which results in symptoms like tremors.
You should visit your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: anxiety, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, nausea, constipation
Symptoms that always occur with parkinson's disease: symptoms of parkinsonism
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Overactive thyroid
Overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, means that the thyroid gland in the neck produces an excess of the hormone thyroxine and causes a metabolic imbalance.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by autoimmune disorders such as Graves' disease; by benign growths in the thyroid; or by inflammation of the gland, called thyroiditis.
The condition may run in families. Women seem to be more commonly affected than men.
Hyperthyroidism causes very high metabolism with sudden and unexplained weight loss, rapid and irregular heartbeat, sweating, nervousness, and anxiety.
Goiter, or swelling of the thyroid gland, may appear at the base of the neck. The eyeballs can protrude and become irritated, a condition called Graves' ophthalmopathy.
If not treated, hyperthyroidism can lead to serious heart rhythm abnormalities and osteoporosis. An endocrinologist can diagnose the condition through a physical examination and simple blood test.
Treatment is done with anti-thyroid medications and sometimes radioactive iodine. Surgery to remove part of the thyroid gland may be done. The condition usually responds well to treatment and monitoring, and to improved diet, exercise, and stress reduction.
Low calcium level
Hypocalcemia is a condition where there is not enough calcium in the blood. Calcium is a mineral contained in the blood and helps the heart and other muscles function properly. It is also needed to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Low calcium levels can cause bones to become brittle and more easily fractured. Parathyroid issues and vitamin D deficiency are common causes of this condition.
You should consider visiting a medical professional to discuss your symptoms. Low calcium levels can be evaluated with a review of your symptoms and a blood test. Once diagnosed, treatment depends on the cause of your low calcium levels.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, irritability, general numbness, tingling foot
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Generalized tonic-clonic seizure
A seizure is a short burst of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. A generalized tonic-clonic seizure affects both halves of the brain, and comes in two phases (tonic and clonic). The tonic phase is characterized by rigidity of all muscles and loss of consciousness. Saliva may escape the mouth, and the bladder may contract, releasing urine. The clonic phase follows, when the body appears to shake. This may last from seconds to minutes. The person gradually regains consciousness. A seizure may be caused by an underlying disease such as epilepsy, or by triggers such as heavy drinking, drugs, or anxiety.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: being severely ill, brief fainting episode, confusion/disorientation after returning to consciousness, not having protected the body during the fall, eyes rolling back while passing out
Symptoms that always occur with generalized tonic-clonic seizure: being severely ill, loss of consciousness without remembering, confusion/disorientation after returning to consciousness
Urgency: Emergency medical service
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, refers to an ongoing feeling of worry and anxiousness about everything and nothing at once. The feeling never really lifts no matter what steps might be taken.
GAD seems to run in families, making some individuals more vulnerable to stress and environmental factors than others.
Symptoms include constant feelings of worry over everyday things and major events; difficulty concentrating or sleeping; being jumpy or easily startled; always feeling tired; irritability; and physical symptoms of headaches and body aches.
Ongoing GAD can be quite debilitating and interfere with quality of life. Any medical provider can send the patient to an appropriate physician for further help.
Diagnosis is made by patient history, followed by a physical examination to rule out any physical cause. The patient will be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist for further evaluation.
Treatment involves cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps the patient learn to respond to the world in healthier ways and, especially, to manage stress. Antidepressant medication may be prescribed, since it can be helpful for anxiety.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: fatigue, trouble sleeping, general anxiety (stress), irritability, nausea
Symptoms that always occur with generalized anxiety disorder (gad): general anxiety (stress)
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Chronic idiopathic peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy refers to the feeling of numbness, tingling, and pins-and-needles sensation in the feet. Idiopathic means the cause is not known, and chronic means the condition is ongoing without getting better or worse.
The condition is most often found in people over age 60. Idiopathic neuropathy has no known cause.
Symptoms include uncomfortable numbness and tingling in the feet; difficulty standing or walking due to pain and lack of normal sensitivity; and weakness and cramping in the muscles of the feet and ankles.
Peripheral neuropathy can greatly interfere with quality of life, so a medical provider should be seen in order to treat the symptoms and reduce the discomfort.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination; blood tests to rule out other conditions; and neurologic and muscle studies such as electromyography.
Treatment involves over-the-counter pain relievers; prescription pain relievers to manage more severe pain; physical therapy and safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation in the feet; and therapeutic footwear to help with balance and walking.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: distal numbness, muscle aches, joint stiffness, numbness on both sides of body, loss of muscle mass
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis)
Cervical dystonia is a pain condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to twist or turn to one side. It can also cause the head to uncontrollably tilt forward or backward.
You should visit your primary care physician to confirm the diagnosis and discuss treatment options for managing symptoms.
Rarity: Ultra rare
Top Symptoms: pain in the back of the neck, tremor, spontaneous neck pain, repetitive abnormal head and neck posturing
Symptoms that always occur with cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis): repetitive abnormal head and neck posturing
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Brain tumor or mass
In medical terms, "mass" and "tumor" mean the same thing: the unexplained, out-of-place growth of tissue anywhere in the body, including the brain.
The cause of any sort of brain tumor is unknown. Some originate in the brain, while others spread from cancers growing in other parts of the body.
Symptoms may include increasing headaches; nausea and vomiting; blurred or double vision; loss of sensation in an arm or leg; loss of balance; confusion; speech difficulties; or seizures.
If symptoms persist, it is important to see a medical provider so that any treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Diagnosis is made through neurological examination, CT scan, and/or MRI.
If the mass or tumor is found to be benign, that means it is not cancer and not harmful. It may or may not be treated.
If it is malignant, that means it is cancer and must be treated. This will involve some combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, followed by specialized therapy to help with recovery.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: fatigue, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, irritability
Symptoms that always occur with brain tumor or mass: focal neurological symptoms
Urgency: In-person visit
Questions your doctor may ask about involuntary movements
- Are you having difficulty concentrating or thinking through daily activities?
- Have you been feeling more tired than usual, lethargic or fatigued despite sleeping a normal amount?
- Do you currently smoke?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.