Restless Legs Syndrome - Movement Disorders In Sleep: Sleep Disorders

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Restless legs syndrome

An estimated 1%–5% of adults have restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder characterized by strange aching, crawling, or painful sensations in the lower legs that can be temporarily relieved by moving the legs.

Sleep deprivation is a major problem for individuals with RLS, as the symptoms are most prominent, or only occur at night. People develop a variety of coping strategies, such as pacing, doing knee bends, rocking, or stretching the leg muscles. Symptoms are worse when sitting still, and the irresistible urge to move can make it difficult for people with RLS to take car or plane trips, enjoy a movie, or even hold a desk job.

This neurological condition makes it hard to stay in bed at night.

At night, RLS symptoms may compel the person to get in and out of bed many times. Sleep disturbance can be profound. In recognition of the restless nights suffered by people with RLS, the nonprofit Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation titled its newsletter NightWalkers (see "Resources").

Because the symptoms sound bizarre or vague, and the need to be constantly mobile seems like nervousness, people with RLS are frequently thought to have psychiatric problems. In the past, they were often misdiagnosed as having hypochondria, manic-depressive illness, or a stress-related disorder. Children who have RLS are often diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder. Some people report that their symptoms started in adolescence and that adults attributed the problem to growing pains or back trouble.

RLS has a genetic basis, with as many as half of people with RLS noting that other members of their family have similar symptoms. Each child of an affected person has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.

RLS usually worsens with age. Many people don't seek medical attention until their late 30s. Women may find that symptoms flare up during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. At least one in four pregnant women experiences restless legs.

The daytime symptoms sometimes abate for a few hours, days, or even years. Some people get temporary relief by rubbing or squeezing their leg muscles, wrapping their legs in bandages, or applying cold or warm compresses.

Restless legs can be a complication of alcoholism, iron deficiency anemia, diabetes, heart failure, or kidney failure. In some people, caffeine, stress, nicotine, fatigue, or prolonged exposure to a cold or very warm environment can worsen the symptoms. Certain medications — including antihistamines, antidepressants, or lithium — can exacerbate RLS.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007