Restless Legs Syndrome Explained

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes a strong urge to move your legs, most often in the evening or at night. It can badly disturb your sleep and your daily life. Treatments that work are available, and a sleep specialist can help you manage symptoms.

What does RLS feel like?

RLS causes an uncomfortable urge to move your legs. The urge is very hard to resist. Common signs are:

• Odd feelings — Uncomfortable feelings in the legs, such as crawling, tingling, or aching
• Worse at rest — An urge to move that gets worse when you rest or sit still
• Better with movement — Symptoms get better when you move
• Worse at night — Symptoms are worse in the evening and at night

What causes it?

• Low iron — Everyone with RLS should have their iron levels checked
• Pregnancy — Being pregnant can trigger RLS or make it worse
• Kidney disease — Long-term kidney disease
• Peripheral neuropathy — Nerve damage, often in the feet and legs
• Genes — It can run in families
• Some medicines — Such as antihistamines (allergy medicines) and antidepressants

How is RLS treated?

• Iron pills — If your iron is low
• Dopaminergic medicines — Medicines that act on dopamine, a brain chemical
• Alpha-2 delta ligands — A type of nerve medicine (such as gabapentin)
• Lifestyle changes — Such as exercise and avoiding triggers