Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common condition where people feel a strong need to move their legs. This urge is often triggered by an unpleasant sensation, like tingling, itching, or a creeping feeling in the legs. This feeling is usually most noticeable in the evening or night, while sitting or lying down. Moving the legs temporarily relieves the discomfort.

RLS can affect people of any age, but it often becomes more frequent and intense as people get older. This constant urge to move can significantly disrupt sleep, leading to daytime tiredness and affecting daily tasks and activities. RLS is sometimes referred to as Willis-Ekbom disease.

Fortunately, there are ways to manage RLS. Simple changes to your daily routine and lifestyle can sometimes help. These might include things like regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and establishing a consistent sleep schedule. In many cases, medication can also effectively manage RLS symptoms.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common condition where you feel an urge to move your legs. The main symptom is a strong, uncomfortable feeling in your legs. This feeling typically starts when you're sitting or lying down for a while, like during a long car ride, flight, or movie.

The good news is that moving your legs often helps ease the discomfort. Stretching, wiggling, or walking can lessen the unpleasant sensations.

RLS symptoms usually become worse in the evening, often making it hard to sleep. Sometimes, RLS is linked to a related sleep disorder called periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). PLMD causes your legs to twitch or kick during sleep.

The feelings associated with RLS are often described as unpleasant sensations within the leg, not just on the skin's surface. They can feel like:

• Crawling
• Creeping
• Pulling
• Throbbing
• Aching
• Itching
• Electric-like

Sometimes, the feelings are hard to describe precisely. People with RLS usually don't say they feel a muscle cramp or numbness. Instead, they describe a strong need to move their legs.

It's common for RLS symptoms to come and go. Sometimes they disappear for a while, only to return later.

If you think you might have restless legs syndrome, it's important to talk to your doctor. RLS can disrupt your sleep, make you tired during the day, and generally affect your overall well-being. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve your quality of life.

If you're experiencing restless legs syndrome (RLS), it's important to talk to your doctor. RLS can disrupt your sleep, making you feel tired and sluggish during the day. This can significantly impact how well you live your life. RLS can cause discomfort and make it hard to get a good night's rest, leading to daytime sleepiness and affecting your overall well-being. Don't hesitate to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider for appropriate diagnosis and treatment options.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition where people feel an urge to move their legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. In many cases, the exact cause of RLS is unknown. Scientists think an imbalance of a brain chemical called dopamine might be involved. Dopamine helps control muscle movement, so an imbalance could disrupt this process, leading to the feeling of needing to move.

Sometimes, RLS runs in families, particularly when it begins before age 40. Researchers have found certain locations on the chromosomes, where genes that might play a role in RLS are located. This suggests a genetic component in some cases. It's like a predisposition to the condition may be passed down through families.

Changes in hormones, such as during pregnancy, can make RLS symptoms worse. In fact, some people experience RLS for the first time during pregnancy, especially during the final three months (the third trimester). This is often temporary, and the symptoms usually go away after the baby is born.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can affect people of any age, even children. It's more common as people get older and slightly more common in women than men. Usually, RLS isn't a sign of a serious health problem. However, it can sometimes happen alongside other conditions.

One such condition is peripheral neuropathy. This happens when nerves in the hands and feet are damaged. This damage can be caused by long-term health issues like diabetes or alcohol abuse.

Another possible link is iron deficiency. Not having enough iron in your body can cause or worsen RLS. People who have had significant bleeding in their stomach or intestines are at risk for iron deficiency. Heavy menstrual bleeding or frequent blood donations can also lead to iron deficiency.

Kidney failure can also be connected to RLS. When kidneys aren't working correctly, the body might not be able to hold onto enough iron, which can lead to anemia. This, along with other chemical changes in the body, can make RLS symptoms worse.

Conditions affecting the spinal cord, like damage or injury, have also been associated with RLS. Having received spinal anesthesia, such as a spinal block, might also increase the risk.

Finally, people with Parkinson's disease, especially those taking certain medications called dopaminergic agonists, may be more likely to develop RLS. These medications affect the brain's dopamine levels.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can cause a range of problems, from minor discomfort to significant difficulties. RLS often makes it tough for people to get to sleep and stay asleep. The symptoms can vary in severity, affecting people's ability to rest and function during the day.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is diagnosed by a healthcare professional who will ask about your medical history and symptoms. To be diagnosed with RLS, you need to meet certain criteria set by experts:

1. Strong urge to move your legs: You feel a strong, often overwhelming need to move your legs. This feeling is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations, like tingling, itching, or a crawling feeling in your legs.

2. Symptoms worsen when resting: The urge to move your legs typically starts or gets worse when you're sitting or lying down, during periods of rest.

3. Symptoms improve with activity: Moving your legs, like walking or stretching, can temporarily reduce or relieve the uncomfortable feelings.

4. Symptoms are worse at night: The symptoms often bother you more at night, making it hard to sleep.

5. Other causes ruled out: The symptoms can't be fully explained by another medical condition or behavior. For example, if you have another condition that could be causing the same sensations, it needs to be ruled out.

To confirm the diagnosis, your healthcare professional might do a physical exam and a neurological exam. Blood tests, especially to check for iron deficiency, are common to rule out other possible causes.

If there's a suspicion of another sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, you might be referred to a sleep specialist. This could involve an overnight sleep study at a sleep clinic. However, most people with RLS don't need a sleep study to get a diagnosis.

At Mayo Clinic, a team of specialists can help you manage your restless legs syndrome.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Treatment Options

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an uncomfortable feeling in the legs, often leading to a strong urge to move them. Sometimes, RLS symptoms disappear after treating an underlying medical problem, such as an iron deficiency. If you have an iron deficiency, your doctor may recommend taking iron supplements. These supplements can be taken by mouth or injected into a vein. It's crucial to take iron supplements under a doctor's guidance and after getting your blood iron levels checked.

If RLS isn't linked to another condition, treatment often focuses on lifestyle changes. If these changes aren't enough, your doctor might prescribe medication.

Medications for RLS

Several medications can help reduce the uncomfortable feeling in your legs. Many of these drugs were originally developed for other conditions but can be helpful for RLS.

• Dopamine-increasing medications: These medications affect the brain's dopamine levels. Examples include rotigotine (Neupro), pramipexole (Mirapex ER), and ropinirole. These are FDA-approved for moderate to severe RLS. Common side effects include nausea, lightheadedness, and tiredness. However, some people experience issues with impulse control (like compulsive gambling) or daytime sleepiness. Sometimes, these medications stop working effectively over time, or symptoms might return earlier in the day, or even affect the arms. This is called "augmentation." If this happens, your doctor may switch you to a different medication. For occasional RLS episodes, your doctor might prescribe carbidopa-levodopa (Duopa, Rytary, etc.) as needed. However, daily use of these drugs is generally not recommended as it can lead to augmentation.

• Calcium channel-affecting medications: These medications, such as gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise), gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant), and pregabalin (Lyrica), can help some people with RLS.

• Muscle relaxants and sleep medications: These medications can help you sleep better, but they don't eliminate the leg sensations, and they can cause daytime sleepiness. They are often a last resort if other treatments aren't working.

• Opioids: These medications are primarily used for severe RLS symptoms. They can be habit-forming if used in high doses. Examples include tramadol, codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.

Finding the Right Medication

It often takes several attempts to find the best medication or combination of medications for RLS.

Pregnancy and RLS

Most medications for RLS are not recommended during pregnancy. Instead, lifestyle changes and self-care techniques are usually prioritized. However, if symptoms are severe during the later stages of pregnancy, your doctor may consider certain medications. Some medications can actually worsen RLS symptoms. These include some antidepressants, antipsychotics, anti-nausea drugs, and cold or allergy medications. If possible, your doctor will advise against these medications. However, if you need them, discuss ways to manage your RLS symptoms while taking them.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of RLS.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is usually a condition that lasts a person's whole life. Finding ways to manage it is key. One helpful strategy is to talk to others about your RLS. Explaining your condition to family, friends, and coworkers can help them understand why you might move around a lot, such as pacing in a room or standing at the back of a theater. It can also help them understand if they see you getting up frequently to get a drink.

Don't fight the urge to move. Trying to stop the urge to move can actually make your RLS symptoms worse. Instead, try to find ways to satisfy that need for movement.

Keeping a sleep diary can be very helpful. Record what medicines or other strategies help your symptoms, and what seems to worsen them. Sharing this information with your doctor will help them understand your condition better.

Gentle stretching and massage, especially at the beginning and end of the day, can sometimes help relieve some symptoms.

Joining a support group can also be a big help. Support groups bring together people with RLS and their families. Sharing experiences and insights with others in the group can be beneficial for everyone involved. Talking to others who understand what you're going through can be very comforting and potentially offer new ideas for coping.