Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurologic disorder. It is characterized by:
The sensations are typically worse during periods of inactivity and usually strongest at night. The symptoms are improved with activity. For this reason, people with RLS generally have insomnia , which may be severe.
The exact cause is unknown. RLS may occur for no identifiable reason. This is called primary RLS. Or, it may be caused by other conditions or certain drugs. This is called secondary RLS.
Many people with RLS also have periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). This is a related motor disorder characterized by:
These factors increase your chance of developing RLS. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
Symptoms may include:
Symptoms may begin at any age. But, they are most common in people older than 60 years old. Symptoms usually increase in the evening and during times of rest, relaxation, or inactivity.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical and neurologic exam. The diagnosis is based mainly on your symptoms. There is no specific test for RLS. But, tests to check for conditions that may trigger RLS include:
There is no cure for RLS. Treatments are aimed at relieving or reducing symptoms.
Effective treatment of conditions that may trigger RLS can ease or even eliminate symptoms:
During this treatment, electric stimulation is done to the affected area of the leg. This is usually done 15-30 minutes before bedtime to help reduce leg jerking.
RESOURCES:
National Sleep Foundation
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation
http://www.rls.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Sleep Society
http://www.css.to/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
References:
Bradley WG, Daroff RB. Neurology in Clinical Practice . Philadelphia, PA: Butterworth Heiemann; 2004.
Cui Y, Wang Y, Liu Z. Accupuncture for restless legs syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;CD006457.
Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment . 45th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2006.
National Sleep Foundation website. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org .
Restless legs syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Accessed May 27, 2008.
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation website. Available at: http://www.rls.org/ .
Shannon, Kathleen. Restless Legs Syndrome In: Gilman S, ed. MedLink Neurology. San Diego, CA: MedLink Corp. MedLink website. Available at: http://www.medlink.com . Accessed May 12, 2008.
Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders website. Available at: http://www.wemove.org/ .
Last reviewed January 2010 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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