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About Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a sleep disorder that causes an intense and uncontrollable urge to move your legs, often accompanied by other sensations of crawling, pulling, throbbing, and aching. Restless legs syndrome usually occurs when you’re lying in bed or sitting for long periods of time. The symptoms of restless legs syndrome often appear in the evening or at night, which can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.

Restless legs syndrome can affect men, women, and children at any age. The disorder becomes more common with age and affects women more commonly than men. The symptoms of RLS may get worse as you age, or if you become pregnant. Some people experience the symptoms of RLS for the first time during pregnancy, only to have these sensations cease after delivery.

There is no common cause of RLS, but it is widely believed that the disease is passed down through genetics. People who inherit RLS from first-degree relatives usually experience symptoms before the age of 40. In other cases, the development of RLS may be associated with other medical conditions such as:

  • Anemia or iron deficiency
  • Kidney disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland)
  • Diabetes
  • Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the hands and feet)
  • Pregnancy
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

While RLS won’t lead to serious medical complications, it can adversely affect your rest and daily activities. It can also be a signifier for more serious health concerns. There is no specific test used to diagnose restless legs syndrome, but if you are experiencing persistent disruptions to your sleep or the symptoms detailed above, talk to your doctor.

Specific treatment for RLS will depend on whether or not the disease is associated with another underlying medical condition. If this is the case, treatment for that condition will usually alleviate symptoms of RLS. Below is a list of treatment options used to treat symptoms of restless legs syndrome unassociated with other diseases or conditions. During your appointment, talk to your provider about which of these treatment plans is right for you.

In many cases, no medical treatment is required for RLS. The symptoms and urge to move can be relieved with a few simple self-care methods which include:

- Practice good sleep hygiene. Fatigue can make the symptoms of RLS worse. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night and establish a bedtime routine that will ensure that you get high-quality sleep. Avoid phone or computer use right before bed. Moderate your bedroom temperature to ensure that it is comfortable and cool at night. Additionally, try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

- Exercise. Regular exercise can help encourage sleep at the end of the day and reduce symptoms of RLS. Overworking your body or working out right before bed, however, can make symptoms worse. Aim for moderate exertion with enough time to wind down every day to get the most benefit out of your exercise routine.

- Avoid caffeine. Cutting out caffeinated products may help relieve symptoms of RLS.

- Take a bath. Resting in a warm bath can help relax muscles and encourage ease.

- Apply heat or cooling pads. Heating pads, cooling packs, and massage can all help relax muscles and promote relaxation. These measures can also help reduce discomfort caused by restless legs syndrome.

- Relax. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation, massage, and acupuncture can help reduce stress and ease tight muscles. This can help promote sleep and relieve discomfort caused by RLS.

Medical treatment for RLS is generally reserved for severe cases or instances of RLS that are associated with other underlying conditions. If you experience persistent restless legs syndrome that affects your daily life and is not connected to other conditions, your doctor may prescribe a dopamine agonist or anti-seizure medication to control symptoms.

- Dopamine agonist: These drugs (ropinirole, rotigotine, and pramipexole) affect dopamine levels in the brain, which can control sensations caused by RLS and the uncontrollable urge to move your legs.

- Anti-seizure medication: Gabapentin (Neurontin) has been approved by the FDA to treat the symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Anti-seizure medication blocks pain signals sent from the legs to the brain, reducing the sensations of aching or creeping in the legs that provoke the urge to move.

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