Overview
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes a very strong urge to move the legs. The need to move usually is caused by aching or an uncomfortable feeling in the legs. It typically happens in the evening or at night when sitting or lying down. Moving eases the feeling for a short time.
Restless legs syndrome can begin at any age and tends to get worse with age. It can make it hard to sleep, which affects daily activities. RLS also is known as Willis-Ekbom disease.
Simple self-care steps and lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms. Medicines also help many people with RLS.
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Symptoms
The main symptom of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an urge to move the legs. It's common to experience:
- Leg discomfort that begins while resting. RLS symptoms typically begin after you've been lying down or sitting. This might happen while sitting in a car, airplane or movie theater.
- Relief with movement. RLS lessens with movement. Stretching, jiggling the legs, pacing or walking may improve symptoms.
- Worsening symptoms in the evening. Symptoms occur mainly at night.
- Nighttime leg twitching. RLS may be linked with another, more common condition called periodic limb movement of sleep. This condition causes the legs to twitch and kick during sleep, possibly throughout the night.
RLS leg symptoms usually happen on both sides of the body. They're described as feelings within the legs rather than on the skin. Less commonly, the condition affects the arms. The sensations are described as:
- Crawling.
- Creeping.
- Pulling.
- Throbbing.
- Aching.
- Itching.
- Electric.
Sometimes the symptoms of RLS are hard to explain. People with the condition usually don't describe the symptoms as muscle cramps or numbness. They do, however, describe the desire to move their legs.
It's common for symptoms to get better and worse. Sometimes symptoms disappear for periods of time, then come back.
When to see a doctor
Talk with your healthcare professional if you have symptoms of restless legs syndrome. RLS can interfere with your sleep, cause daytime drowsiness and affect your quality of life.
Causes
Often, there's no known cause for restless legs syndrome (RLS). Researchers suspect the condition may be due to an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine. Dopamine sends messages that regulate muscle movement.
Heredity
Sometimes RLS runs in families, especially if the condition starts before age 40. Researchers have found sites on the chromosomes where genes linked to RLS may be present.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy or hormonal changes may worsen RLS symptoms. Some people get RLS for the first time during pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. However, in that case, symptoms usually disappear after delivery.
Risk factors
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can develop at any age, even during childhood. The condition is more common as people get older. It's also more common in women than in men.
RLS usually isn't related to a serious medical condition. However, it sometimes occurs with other conditions, such as:
- Peripheral neuropathy. This damage to the nerves in the hands and feet is sometimes due to chronic diseases such as diabetes and alcohol use disorder.
- Too little iron in the body, known as iron deficiency. This can cause or worsen RLS. Iron deficiency can be caused by heavy menstrual periods, donating blood often, or bleeding from the stomach or bowels.
- Kidney failure. People with kidney failure also may have iron deficiency. When kidneys don't function properly, iron levels in the blood can go down. This and other changes in body chemistry may cause or worsen RLS.
- Spinal cord conditions. Damage or injury of the spinal cord has been linked to RLS.
- Parkinson's disease. People who have Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of developing RLS.
Complications
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms can range from mild to serious. Many people with the condition find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, which may affect their quality of life. This can cause depression in some people. Not being able to sleep also may lead to excessive daytime drowsiness. RLS can even interfere with napping.