Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a condition related to the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. It causes an overwhelming urge to move your body due to unusual sensations, mainly in the legs. In the U.S., about 7% to 10% of people have RLS.
Symptoms often get better with movement but worsen during inactivity, like when you’re lying in bed, which can disrupt sleep. You might experience these symptoms several nights a week or most nights. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms and explore underlying causes such as iron deficiency. Healthcare providers categorize RLS as either primary or secondary.
During pregnancy, about 11% to 29% of individuals experience RLS symptoms, which usually subside a few weeks after giving birth. However, there’s an increased risk of developing chronic RLS later on. Symptoms vary in severity but generally worsen or occur more in the evening.
Primary symptoms include sensations that trigger the urge to move. If symptoms are moderate, they might occur once or twice a week. Severe symptoms could occur three times or more weekly. Poor sleep due to RLS can affect your cognitive function and emotions. Sometimes, symptoms go into remission, disappearing for a while before reappearing.
Around 70% of people with RLS experience symptoms that worsen over time, which might even spread to the arms. While the exact cause is unknown, several factors could contribute, including certain medications and substances like alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine. RLS is more common in individuals assigned female at birth and often runs in families, with up to 65% having a family history and an 80% correlation in identical twins.
There are no specific tests to diagnose RLS. Healthcare providers rely on a review of symptoms, family history, medications, and other possible causes. Diagnosing RLS in children can be difficult as they may struggle to describe their symptoms accurately. Other childhood conditions, such as growing pains and motor tics, can mimic RLS. It’s also prevalent in children with ADHD, sharing symptoms like irritability and restlessness.
While mild symptoms may not need treatment, RLS can become a lifelong condition that worsens over time, especially around age 50, leading to daily sleep disruptions. Though there’s no cure, treatment can help manage symptoms. Options include over-the-counter and prescription medications and lifestyle changes. Medication is often the primary treatment, particularly for severe cases, and can include iron supplements and other prescriptions.
For mild to moderate cases, lifestyle changes might alleviate symptoms. Recommendations might involve using vibrating leg massagers or implementing healthy habits. While you can’t always prevent RLS, you might be able to reduce mild symptoms and prevent flare-ups by adopting similar strategies.
RLS can complicate sleep, leading to fatigue and affect overall quality of life. Understanding the relationship between neurologic disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and RLS, is ongoing. Both conditions might involve dopamine imbalances, causing uncontrolled movements, but they are distinct issues.
RLS can affect people of all ages, including children, though symptoms commonly worsen after age 45. Some research has found a potential link between RLS and conditions causing dementia, like Alzheimer’s, but more studies are needed to confirm these findings. Researchers continue to explore the causes and treatments for RLS, so it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider if you think treatment could help you.
