Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological (nervous system) disorder. It is characterized by an urge to move the legs in order to relieve abnormal sensations such as pain, creeping, or burning. In fact, some people say it feels like insects are crawling around inside their legs.
The urge to move the legs occurs during periods of rest, such as before falling asleep, and generally tends to be worse in the evenings and at night. Although movement relieves the symptoms, the sensations often return. Although this condition is known as Restless Legs Syndrome, the abnormal sensations can occur in the arms as well.
According to the age of onset, RLS is categorized as early-onset or late-onset. RLS occurs in both men and women, although the incidence is slightly higher in women. This condition also becomes more frequent and severe with age.
In around 80% of cases, people with RLS also experience sudden jerking of the arms and legs known as periodic limb movements. People don’t have control over this movement, which generally occurs every 20 to 40 seconds and may continue throughout the night.
Between 5% to 15% of people around the world may have RLS.
The cause of RLS is not clear. Scientists have observed that approximately half of the people who have RLS also have a family member with the condition.
RLS is thought to be caused by one the following underlying conditions:
People with these conditions sometimes experience relief from RLS symptoms once the underlying condition is treated or when the suspected drug is discontinued.
Drinking coffee or alcohol and smoking may aggravate or trigger symptoms in people with RLS or those who are likely to develop it. Decreasing your intake of these substances, or stopping them altogether, may relieve or reduce symptoms of RLS. Not getting enough sleep also seems to aggravate the disorder.
Treatment for RLS focuses on controlling any underlying health condition that may be causing RLS (e.g., correcting a lack of iron). If iron is administered, it may be given with vitamin C, and levels will be checked regularly.
The doctor will first suggest non-medication measures to manage mild symptoms. For example, some people find that light exercise such as walking or stretching, taking a bath, massaging the leg, applying hot or cold packs, and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga reduces the symptoms. Changing your sleep schedule to allow more time for sleeping in may also help. The doctor may suggest you keep your mind active (e.g., by reading) during periods of prolonged inactivity, such as travelling, in order to take your mind off RLS symptoms.
However, if your symptoms are frequent and severe or if you are having difficulty falling or staying asleep, the doctor may prescribe medications for you. To control daily symptoms, medications that are used for Parkinson’s disease such as ropinirole, rotigotine and pramipexole are frequently prescribed. Levodopa/carbidopa is effective for intermittent symptoms and as prevention just before a long car ride or travelling on a plane. The medications have side effects and sometimes need to be weaned off for a period before being started again.
Antiseizure medications (such as gabapentin and pregabalin), benzodiazepines (such as clonazepam and zolpidem), or opioids (such as codeine) can give some relief.
Since the cause of RLS is not well understood, there are no known ways to prevent it. However, people who have RLS may be able to decrease episodes by making simple lifestyle changes including eliminating caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol and by treating any underlying conditions.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Restless-Leg-Syndrome
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