Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome, often called RLS for short, is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. It is a common condition of the nervous system, and it causes an overwhelming, irresistible urge to move the legs.
If you have it, you are far from alone. As many as 1 in 10 people are affected by restless legs syndrome at some point in their life.
Women are twice as likely as men to develop restless legs syndrome. It is also more common in middle age, although the symptoms can develop at any age, including childhood.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Diagnosis
There is no single test that can diagnose restless legs syndrome on its own.
Instead, a diagnosis is based on a combination of things:
- your symptoms
- your medical history
- your family history
- a physical examination
- test results
Your doctor should be able to diagnose restless legs syndrome for you.
You will be asked about the pattern of your symptoms, which helps the doctor judge how severe they are. You may also be referred for blood tests. These will confirm whether you have primary or secondary restless legs syndrome.
If restless legs syndrome is disrupting your sleep, you may be sent for sleep tests. These allow healthcare professionals to see exactly what happens while you are asleep.
Treatment
How restless legs syndrome is treated depends on two things: which type of restless legs syndrome you have, and how severe your symptoms are.
Some things do not cause restless legs syndrome but can make the symptoms worse. Certain medicines are among these triggers, including:
- some antidepressants
- antipsychotics
- lithium
- calcium channel blockers
- some antihistamines
- metoclopramide
Do not stop taking any medicine that has been prescribed for you without first checking with your doctor or healthcare provider. Stopping a medicine suddenly can make you unwell.
Other things that can trigger restless legs syndrome include:
- smoking
- drinking too much caffeine or alcohol
- being overweight or obese
- stress
- not getting enough exercise
Treatment for primary restless legs syndrome
If your symptoms are mild, you may find that a few changes to your daily habits are enough to improve the condition.
Good sleep hygiene can help with restless legs syndrome. This simply means keeping healthy sleep habits.
Do
- exercise regularly
- follow a regular bedtime routine
- take time to relax before bed
- go to bed at the same time every day
- get up at the same time every morning
- have a warm bath in the evening
Don't
- do not smoke
- do not nap during the day
- do not drink or use stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine and drugs before bed
- do not exercise before bed
During an episode of restless legs syndrome, the following may help ease your symptoms:
- massaging your legs
- applying a hot or cold compress to your leg muscles
- doing something that takes your mind off it, such as reading or watching television
- relaxation exercises such as yoga or tai chi
- walking and stretching
Medication
If primary restless legs syndrome is causing more severe symptoms, there are medicines that may help. Your doctor may suggest trying:
- iron supplements, particularly if you have low levels of iron or of a protein called ferritin
- neuropathic agents, which are medicines such as gabapentin or pregabalin
- painkillers such as codeine or tramadol
- hypnotics such as clonazepam
If other medicines have not worked, your doctor may offer you dopamine agonists. These can cause complications such as impulse control disorders and augmentation, a problem in which restless legs syndrome actually becomes worse.
Treatment for secondary restless legs syndrome
If your symptoms are caused by an underlying health problem, medical professionals will treat that health problem first. Treating that problem may be enough to resolve the syndrome.
Restless legs syndrome is not life threatening. Severe cases, however, can disrupt sleep, causing insomnia, and can trigger anxiety and depression.