Restless Legs Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Restless Legs Syndrome is a condition that affects up to 10% of people in the US. The syndrome is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease and is marked by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. Restless legs syndrome is a nervous system disorder.

Who Does Restless Legs Syndrome Affect?

Restless Legs Syndrome is more common in women but is also present in men. Severe symptoms are more likely to occur in middle-aged people, but children can also have symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome that cause sleep disturbances and negatively affect their quality of life.

Causes

No one knows what causes RLS, but doctors believe there may be a genetic component. Nearly half of all people who suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome have a family member who also has the condition.

Although Restless Leg Syndrome is usually not related to another condition, there may be an association with other factors:

Chronic diseases

Certain long-term medical conditions and chronic diseases can include Restless Leg Syndrome as a symptom. This includes iron deficiency (anemia), Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy.

Medications

While drugs do not cause Restless Leg Syndrome, some may make symptoms worse. This may include antipsychotics, certain antidepressants, antihistamines, and anti-nausea medications.

Pregnancy

Some pregnant women experience Restless Leg Syndrome during the third trimester or earlier in their pregnancy. These symptoms usually disappear about a month after delivery.

Lifestyle

Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine use can contribute to restless leg syndrome. People that have other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea may experience more extreme symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms of RLS can range from mild to unbearable. You may find yourself walking around at night or being unable to stay seated in a movie theater or car. People who suffer from RLS often try to stretch and exercise their restless legs, but activity usually only relieves symptoms while the legs are moving. The usual symptoms include:

Unusual feelings in the legs
Feelings of itching, crawling, aching, throbbing, pins-and-needles, or other strange sensations
Powerful urge to move or kick the legs and make the sensation go away

Restless Leg Syndrome often worsens when you’re at rest and can cause sleep disturbances or insomnia. Because of this, doctors consider it a sleep disorder. You may also have trouble sitting for a long time, such as when driving a car for a long time. Over time, that lack of sleep can cause serious problems. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome, it may be time to see a doctor.

Diagnosis

There are five basic criteria for diagnosing Restless Leg Syndrome:

An urgent need to move, exercise, or stretch your legs to alleviate the uncomfortable sensations
Temporary alleviation of symptoms when moving your legs
An onset or worsening of symptoms when you’re at rest
An urge to move your legs that starts or worsens in the evening

The final diagnostic component is the ruling out of other conditions, such as muscle pains, arthritis, or leg cramps that may be causing the symptoms.

Treatment

If you suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome, you’ve probably tried everything to stop your symptoms. While changes to your lifestyle may help, such as avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, there are several other ways to treat the condition.

Leg massages
Regular exercise
Hot baths
Heating pads or ice packs on the legs

If none of those methods work, it’s time to see a doctor. Drugs to treat RLS are available, but they may not be effective for everyone. Talk to your primary care physician about medications for treating RLS.