| Method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndromeRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, User Manipulated Force Resisting Apparatus, Component Thereof, Or Accessory Therefor, Utilizing Resilient Force Resistance, And User Supplied Counter Force, Attached To UserMethod of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080039303, Method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/943,880 filed Sep. 20, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/482,808 filed Jan. 5, 2004, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Oxygenated blood is pumped under pressure from the heart to all parts of a human body along arteries and returns to the heart for re-oxygenation along veins. Blood may also be returned to the heart by muscle pump action. For example, when the calf muscle of a person's leg is flexed and the surrounding veins are thereby constricted, blood will be forced away from the area of constriction. Valves present in the veins ensure that all blood flowing from the area of constriction flows towards the heart. [0006] Muscle pump action in a person's legs is generally reduced when they are in an upright seated position for extended periods. A person's capacity to return blood to the heart may therefore be reduced under such conditions. Further, blood has a tendency to pool in the lower regions of the body as a result of gravity. [0007] In general, blood has a tendency to clot when it slows or stops. The mentioned pooling of blood in the lower regions of the body, together with the reduced muscle pump action, creates an environment that is conducive to clotting. If a blood clot, also known as a thrombosis, forms in the described manner and dislodges from a lower region of the body, it will travel along the person's veins back towards the heart. A dislodged thrombosis, known as an embolus, will then enter the right hand side of the heart and will be pumped from the heart to the lungs via the pulmonary artery for re-oxygenation. The diameter of the veins on which the embolus travels, as it moves towards the heart from the lower regions of the body, increases as the embolus approaches the heart. [0008] The pulmonary artery receives blood from the right hand side of the heart and feeds it into the lungs via numerous blood vessels. The diameter of each of these blood vessels is substantially less than the diameter of the pulmonary artery and as a result the embolus may stop or slow as it attempts to flow into one or more of these blood vessels. An embolus that stops or slows in the pulmonary artery effectively blocks or slows the rate at which these blood vessels take blood from the pulmonary artery to the lungs. Such an embolus is known as a pulmonary embolism. [0009] A pulmonary embolism reduces the amount of blood flowing into the lungs and, as such, the amount of blood returning to the heart from the lungs. Further, the pulmonary artery has a reduced capacity to distribute blood to the lungs and the right hand side of the heart continues to pump blood into the pulmonary artery. The result is a build up of blood stemming back from the pulmonary artery and into the heart. [0010] Generally, a pulmonary embolism subjects a heart to stress and in some cases this stress can cause heart failure. [0011] Individuals tend to remain in upright stationary positions for extended periods when travelling in vehicles for long distances, for example, or while seated at the theatre or watching television. When travelling on an aeroplane, for example, a passenger may remain in a seated position for several hours with little to no movement of the legs. Space on board aeroplanes is generally very limited and there is little capacity and/or opportunity to exercise the leg muscles. Such individuals are therefore at risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. [0012] The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) describes restless legs syndrome (RLS) as a neurological disorder characterised by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings. Symptoms of RLS are typically described as burning, creeping, tugging sensations. The sensations may range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. [0013] A characteristic of RLS is that lying down or relaxing tends to activate the mentioned symptoms. As such, people with RLS may have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Left untreated, RLS may cause exhaustion and daytime fatigue. [0014] According to NINDS, excessive exercise tends to aggravate the symptoms of RLS. However, NINDS has found that a program of regular moderate exercise helps to alleviate the symptoms of RLS. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The present invention provides a method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome. [0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome, comprising the steps of: (a) fitting an apparatus to a leg of a person afflicted with the symptoms of restless legs syndrome during a period rest, where the apparatus includes means for retarding movement of a foot of said leg of the person as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position; and (b) before said period of rest, alternately moving the foot between the first position and the second position, where the apparatus retards movement of the foot as the foot moves from the first position towards the second position. [0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome, comprising the step of administering to a person, afflicted with the symptoms of restless legs syndrome during a period rest, an apparatus including means for engaging the foot of one leg of a user of the apparatus, wherein the means for engaging is adapted to retard movement of the foot as the foot moves from a first position towards a second position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0019] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; [0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, arranged in one condition of use; Continue reading about Method of alleviating symptoms of restless legs syndrome... 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