Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) Fact Sheet – What is it?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes you to frequently shift and move your legs due to an uncontrollable urge, usually because of constant tension and uncomfortable, irritating feeling in the legs. Usually, this feeling worsens and intensifies in the evening and nighttime hours and is most noticeable when you are sitting trying to relax or lying down for bed. The only immediate relief is to move one’s legs, but this only temporarily eases the uncomfortable sensation.

Restless legs syndrome can be an incredibly annoying disruption to your sleep, making it very difficult to fall asleep and continually waking you through the night. This leaves you bogged down, sleepy, and fatigued the next day and can hinder your performance at work and the ability to complete normal daily activities.

Cases of RLS can vary from a nuisance to incapacitating. Many people find it extremely difficult to fall asleep, and this can result in insomnia. You may find it just as challenging to nap during the day, as an attempt to catch up on the sleep you are missing at night, but RLS makes you unable to do so. During severe cases, one’s quality of life can become minimal after many sleepless nights piled on top of one another leaving you impaired during the day and can result in depression. RLS can begin at any age but typically worsens as you get older.

What causes it?

The specific cause for RLS is unclear, but researchers agree the condition may be the result of an imbalance of dopamine, a chemical produced in the brain which controls muscle movement.

Heredity

RLS has been observed to run in the family, most likely when one has the condition before age 40. Also, studies have determined that researchers have identified sites on the chromosomes where RLS genes may inhabit.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, RLS symptoms may worsen, and some women see the first signs and symptoms of RLS during pregnancy and most noticeable during the third trimester. Typically though, these signs and symptoms will go away after the mother gives birth.

Other Risk factors

RLS can develop at any age but is most common in adults and both the chances of getting RLS and the severity of ones already existing condition increase with age. RLS is more common in women than in men.

RLS may accompany other conditions—but does not cause any condition—such as:

  • Peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage in the hands and feet. Can be caused by diabetes or alcoholism.
  • Iron deficiency. Iron deficiencies are known to cause or worsen RLS. Signs and symptoms of an iron deficiency include a history of bleeding from your stomach or bowels, experiencing heavy menstrual periods, or repeatedly donating blood.
  • Kidney failure. Kidney failure can mean you also have an iron deficiency. Failing kidneys cause the iron stored in your blood to decrease and may lead to a deficiency, which may lead to the development or worsening of RLS.
  • Spinal cord conditions. Having a spinal block or anesthesia given directly to the spinal cord has been observed to be related to RLS. Also, doctors believe the presence of lesions on the spinal cord may be connected to RLS.

Possible solutions

If you do find that you have RLS and an underlying condition, like an iron deficiency, then receiving treatment for your deficiency has been shown to reduce RLS signs and symptoms greatly. Typically, after being diagnosed by your doctor, an iron deficiency is treatable with an oral iron supplement.

However, if you have RLS and do not have an underlying condition, then we recommend you try making some specific lifestyle changes to treat your RLS symptoms, such as:

  • Take a bath. Soaking your legs in a warm bath can help reduce the tireless urges in your legs. If this does not offer enough relief, try massaging your leg muscles until you get relief.
  • Heat and cold therapy. Applying heating pads or ice packs to your legs can help reduce the uncomfortable sensations. Using only heat works for some, for others only cold, and still, some people find it best to use a combination of the two in an alternating method. Find out what the best use of heat and cold therapy is for you.
  • Practice good sleep hygiene. Sleep can be hard to come by with RLS, and poor sleep only worsens its effect, so it is best to give your body its best chance at a good night sleep by implementing healthy sleep hygiene. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day, including weekends. Make your room dark, quiet, cool, and comfortable for the ideal sleeping environment. Eliminate blue light exposure by shutting down all electronics an hour before you go to bed, read a book instead of watching T.V.
  • Exercise. Exercising daily has been shown to help relieve symptoms of RLS. However, taking on too big of a workload and pushing it too much, or working out too close to bedtime can make things worse. Try moderate workouts at least four to five hours before your scheduled bedtime.
  • Avoid caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant and can worsen restless legs. Even cutting back on chocolate, pop, and your morning coffee can help and eliminating them from your diet can significantly reduce symptoms.

Medication therapy

Sometimes lifestyle changes and home remedies are not enough and medication is needed to treat RLS. There are medications proven to help reduce the uncontrollable and unrelenting restlessness in your legs, even though most were not specifically made to treat RLS they still prove useful. These medications include:

  • Medications that increase dopamine production in the brain and help control the muscles in your legs, such as Ropinirole, Rotigotine, and Pramipexole. Mild side effects include nausea, lightheadedness, and fatigue.
  • Medications that help calcium channels, such as gabapentin and pregabalin.
  • Certain narcotics, like codeine, oxycodone, acetaminophen, hydrocodone, and acetaminophen have been shown to relieve symptoms both mild and severe. However, they are very addictive and should only be taken under the exact detail of your doctor.
  • Certain muscle relaxants and sleep medications, called benzodiazepines, are used to help improve your sleep at night. They do not help relieve the uncomfortable sensations in your legs. For this reason, they are only used as a last resort to help you get some sleep if you have a severe condition, and no other medications or lifestyle changes are helping.

Why get treatment?

With treatment, you can finally experience real relief without constantly moving your legs. Your legs can be at peace, and you can finally get some sleep. Those with severe RLS can significantly improve their quality of life as they reduce and even remove the terrible, unrelenting urge to move and get quality sleep. Don’t just learn to live with RLS, take steps to improve your life by getting treatment and the relief you have been searching for.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice; the Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.