If you often lie awake at night, trying to get comfortable while unpleasant sensations in your legs prevent you from relaxing, you might have restless legs syndrome (RLS). An estimated 7-10% of the US population may have RLS, and while there is no cure, there are medications and treatments available to lessen the symptoms and improve your quality of life. Here’s what you need to know about RLS and how you can find relief.
Signs and symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome
Also called Willis-Ekbom Disease, RLS is defined by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and the urge to move them around for relief. The sensations have been described as throbbing, aching, pulling, itching, crawling, or creeping, ranging in severity from unpleasant to painful.
The sensations most commonly occur in the late afternoon or evening, or when the patient is inactive and sitting for long periods of time, and symptoms vary in severity and frequency on a day-to-day basis, with some people only experiencing symptoms once or twice a week. However, most people suffering from RLS experience difficulty falling asleep due to the symptoms, leading to sleep deprivation and exhaustion that can in turn affect their mood, concentration levels, and job performance.
Diagnosing Restless Legs Syndrome
RLS is diagnosed by a doctor’s evaluation, with five basic criteria:
- Abnormal and uncomfortable sensations in the legs
- An overwhelming urge to move the legs that is relieved with movement
- The urge to move the legs worsens during rest or inactivity
- The urge to move the legs worsens at night
- The sensations and urges to move the legs are not caused by another medical or behavioral condition
The evaluation will take into account your medical history, family medical history, and list of current medications, and it might also involve lab tests to rule out other medical conditions and identify iron deficiencies. The evaluation might also include a neurological exam and polysomnography test, which records brain waves, vital statistics, and leg movements while you’re sleeping.
Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome
The cause of RLS is largely unknown, although research has pointed to various health conditions as possible links to the disease, including:
- Iron deficiency
- Dysfunctional dopamine pathways in the brain
- End-stage renal disease
- Nerve damage
- Use of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine
- Pregnancy in the third trimester
- Use of certain medications including anti nausea drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and cold and allergy medications that contain certain antihistamines
RLS also has a known genetic component, with some family members sharing an onset of symptoms before age 40. However, while most RLS patients are middle-aged (and more frequently women), children can also have RLS, which is often misdiagnosed as ADHD or growing pains.
Treating Restless Legs Syndrome
RLS might not have a cure, but there are several treatment options available. If you have been diagnosed with RLS and there is no underlying medical condition responsible, treatment can include:
- Iron supplements: can decrease RLS symptoms if caused by iron deficiency
- Anti-seizure drugs: relieve sensory disturbances
- Dopaminergic drugs: effectively treat dopamine disruptions in the brain
- Opioids: treat severe symptoms of RLS
- Benzodiazepines: help patients obtain restful sleep
Non-medication treatments include lifestyle changes such as reducing or quitting the use of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, along with regular moderate exercise, leg massages, warm baths, and using heating pads or ice packs. There are even some medical devices on the market that can help relieve symptoms, including foot wraps that add pressure below the foot or vibrate the back of the legs.
RLS research at Synergy Research Centers
Restless legs syndrome research and potential treatments continue, and Synergy Research Center in San Diego is currently enrolling participants aged 18 and over for a clinical research study on RLS. For more information or to apply for participation in the study, fill out our enrollment form or call us at (619) 304-1726.