Restless leg syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a sleep disorder that causes a strong urge to move. It also causes sensations described as creeping, itching, pulling, crawling, tugging, throbbing, burning or gnawing. RLS runs in families and is associated with many conditions and diseases and medications. Treatment depends on the intensity of your symptoms. Overview What is restless legs syndrome (RLS)? Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a These sensations usually occur when lying down in bed or when sitting for long periods of time, such as while driving or while at a theater. RLS typically occurs in the evening, making it difficult to fall asleep. Often, people with RLS want to walk around and shake their legs (or arms) to help relieve the uncomfortable sensations. Who gets restless legs syndrome (RLS)? People of any age, including children, can have RLS. Symptoms of RLS may begin in childhood or adulthood, but the chance of having the syndrome increases significantly with age. RLS is more common in women than in men. Up to 10% of the United States population has RLS. Symptoms and Causes What causes restless legs syndrome (RLS)? In some cases, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is attributed to a genetic syndrome, meaning that parents with RLS can pass it down to their children. Up to 92% of people with RLS have a first-degree relative with the disorder. These people tend to develop symptoms earlier in life (before age 45) tha...

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Symptoms The chief symptom is an urge to move the legs. Common accompanying characteristics of RLS include: • Sensations that begin while resting. The sensation typically begins after you've been lying down or sitting for an extended time, such as in a car, airplane or movie theater. • Relief with movement. The sensation of RLS lessens with movement, such as stretching, jiggling the legs, pacing or walking. • Worsening of symptoms in the evening. Symptoms occur mainly at night. • Nighttime leg twitching. RLS may be associated with another, more common condition called periodic limb movement of sleep, which causes the legs to twitch and kick, possibly throughout the night, while you sleep. People typically describe RLS symptoms as compelling, unpleasant sensations in the legs or feet. They usually happen on both sides of the body. Less commonly, the sensations affect the arms. The sensations, which generally occur within the limb rather than on the skin, are described as: • Crawling • Creeping • Pulling • Throbbing • Aching • Itching • Electric Sometimes the sensations are difficult to explain. People with RLS usually don't describe the condition as a muscle cramp or numbness. They do, however, consistently describe the desire to move the legs. It's common for symptoms to fluctuate in severity. Sometimes, symptoms disappear for periods of time, then come back. When to see a doctor Some people with RLS never seek medical attention because they worry they won't be taken serio...

What is RLS? Restless legs syndrome is a problem (disorder) that affects the nervous system and muscles. It causes unpleasant sensations in the legs. The sensations are described as: • Creeping • Crawling • Tingling • Pulling You usually have these sensations in the calf, but they may be felt anywhere from the thigh to the ankle. One or both of your legs may be affected. Some people may have the sensations in their arms. With RLS, you have an irresistible urge to move the affected limb when the sensations occur. Moving often briefly relieves the limb discomfort. Sleep problems are common with RLS because of the difficulty it causes in getting to sleep. Severe daytime fatigue can also be a big problem. What causes RLS? The cause of RLS is still unknown. Some cases are believed to be inherited. Some cases have been linked with nerve damage in the legs from diabetes, kidney problems, iron deficiency, certain medicines, pregnancy, sleep disorders, and alcoholism. It's estimated that as many as 1 in 10 people in the U.S. may haveRLS in varying degrees of severity. What are the symptoms of RLS? Sensations occur when you lie down or sit for a prolonged time. This causes: • The need to move the legs for temporary relief of symptoms by: • Stretching or bending • Rubbing the legs • Tossing or turning in bed • Getting up and pacing • Worsening symptoms when lying down, especially when trying to fall asleep at night, or during other forms of inactivity, including just sitting • A tend...

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome? Doctors consider it a sleep disorder because it usually happens or gets worse while you’re at rest. You might have trouble sleeping or sitting for a long time, such as in a theater or a car. It may get worse if you don’t get treatment. Over time, a lack of sleep can cause problems at work or home. Restless legs syndrome affects up to 10% of people in the U.S. Anyone can get it, but it’s more common in women, and middle-aged people are more likely to have severe symptoms. Sometimes, doctors don’t recognize RLS, especially if symptoms are mild or don’t happen often. But once it’s diagnosed, treatment can often stop it. Who Gets Restless Legs Syndrome? Experts estimate that up to 7% to 10% of people in the U.S. may have restless legs syndrome, also called RLS. About 2% to 3% of them have moderate to severe symptoms that affect their quality of life. Also: • More women than men get it. Doctors don't know why that is. • Most people with severe RLS are middle-aged or older. • While children can get RLS, it's rarer than in adults. Roughly 2% of school-age children may have RLS, and it may be more likely if they have a parent with RLS. Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms People with restless legs syndrome have unusual feelings in their legs (like itching, crawling, pulling, aching, throbbing, or pins and needles) and a powerful urge to move their legs to make the sensations go away. The condition can also happen in other areas like the arms, chest, or h...

Treatments for restless leg syndrome can depend on the cause but may include iron supplements, medications, and certain habits, including adopting a healthy sleep routine. RLS symptoms typically occur when the person is sitting, resting, or sleeping, and often happen at night. The movements caused by RLS are called periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). Because of these movements, RLS can cause serious sleep problems. Some people have primary RLS, which has no known cause. Others have secondary RLS, which is typically associated with nerve problems, For most people with RLS, symptoms are mild. But if your symptoms are moderate to severe, RLS can have a big impact on your life. It can prevent you from sleeping enough, and thus cause problems with daytime focus and thinking, your job, and your social activities. As a result of these problems, RLS can lead to anxiety and depression. And the longer you have the condition, the worse it can get. It can even spread to other parts of your body, such as your arms ( Because of the effects RLS can have on your life, treatment is important. Methods of treatment are varied, as the root cause of RLS isn’t truly known. For instance, some researchers suggest that RLS is caused by problems with the brain chemical dopamine, while others suggest that it’s related to poor circulation. Here we list the best treatments for RLS. Some of these you can try on your own. Others you can discuss with your doctor, who can help you create a treatment ...

What is restless legs syndrome? Restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is a neurological disorder. RLS is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, or RLS/WED. RLS causes unpleasant sensations in the legs, along with a powerful urge to move them. For most people, that urge is more intense when you’re relaxed or trying to sleep. The most serious concern for people with RLS is that it interferes with sleep, causing daytime sleepiness and fatigue. RLS and sleep deprivation can put you at risk for other health problems, including depression if not treated. RLS affects about 10 percent of Americans, according to the At least 80 percent of people with RLS have a related condition called periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS). PLMS causes the legs to twitch or jerk during sleep. It can happen as often as every 15 to 40 seconds and can continue all night long. PLMS can also lead to sleep deprivation. RLS is a lifelong condition with no cure, but medication can help manage symptoms. The most prominent symptom of RLS is the overwhelming urge to move your legs, especially when you’re sitting still or lying in bed. You might also feel unusual sensations like a tingling, crawling, or pulling sensation in your legs. Movement may relieve these sensations. If you have mild RLS, symptoms may not occur every night. And you might attribute these movements to restlessness, nervousness, or stress. A more severe case of RLS is challenging to ignore. It can complicate the simplest activities, like going to t...