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Sleep Diagnostic and Treatment Centers
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest in an effort to relieve these feelings.
RLS sensations are often described by people as burning, tugging, or like insects crawling inside the legs. The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating, to painful. The cause of RLS is unknown, but the symptoms tend to worsen over the years and become more severe in middle-to-old age. According to the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, "restless legs syndrome is a common, under diagnosed and treatable condition." Recent research suggests it affects about 10 percent of adults in North America with rates increasing with age.
Symptoms
- Uncomfortable sensations in the legs usually described as a creeping or crawling feeling, but sometimes as a tingling, cramping, burning or just plain pain.
- The need to move the legs to relieve the discomfort, by stretching, bending, rubbing the legs, tossing or turning in bed, or getting up and pacing the floor. Moving usually offers some temporary relief of symptoms.
- Discomfort when lying down, especially when you’re trying to fall asleep at night or during other forms of inactivity, including just sitting.
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Most discomfort is late in the day and at night
Treatment
The first step in treating RLS is to determine whether related conditions (such as iron deficiency anemia, diabetes, arthritis, or the use of antidepressant medications) are contributing to the symptoms and movements. Sometimes proper diagnosis and treatment of these conditions may relieve the symptoms, although many patients find the disturbing movements continue.
The next step is to try home remedies, which have been effective for some people with RLS.
Want to learn more about RLS? Download our fact sheet here.