Restless legs syndrome

What is restless legs syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome, sometimes known as Willis-Ekborn Disease, is a condition that affects your nervous system – resulting in a restless sensation in your legs, making you want to move them. Most people who have Restless Legs Syndrome experience symptoms in the evenings, when sitting or lying down, or when trying to get to sleep. There are things that you can do to make the symptoms better for a short time, but it’s important that you don’t confuse relief with resolution, and still get clinically approved treatment. ^[1]

Whilst symptoms can range from mild to severe, the key complaint is that restless legs syndrome disrupts healthy, natural sleep. If the condition is because of other underlying health problems, poor sleep can make pre-existing issues worse.

Who gets restless legs syndrome?

Although restless legs syndrome can affect anyone, it’s more common in women and people entering middle age. It’s more common, for example, in women over forty than in men and children. There are a few potential causes of RLS: neurologists understand that it’s related to levels of a chemical called Dopamine in the body, because it controls our muscle movement. Restless legs syndrome could be a result of an iron deficiency, anemia, kidney failure or other existing medical conditions, such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. It also affects one in five pregnant women, usually in their third trimester. Evidence also suggests that RLS is related to a dysfunction in one of the sections of the brain that controls movement (called the basal ganglia), which uses the brain chemical, dopamine.

How common is restless legs syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome is quite common, the amount of people that have it worldwide is estimated to be between 3.9%-15% .^[2]

What causes restless legs syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome can be caused by a faulty gene, pre-existing medical conditions, various deficiencies, anemia, or by damage to the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia is the part of the brain that helps control your nervous system and motor functions; it relies on dopamine transmitters to send signals to various parts of your body. When dopamine receptors are damaged in the basal ganglia, signals become confused, and incorrect messages are sent down the spine and throughout your nervous system. This causes strange sensations, involuntary movements or spasms, and an overwhelming restless feeling. ^[1] The lifestyle factors which can contribute to the development or severity of restless legs syndrome symptoms are: stress, poor sleeping patterns, smoking, and drinking alcohol. However these factors aren’t thought to cause restless legs syndrome.

What are the symptoms of restless legs syndrome?

As the name suggests, restless legs syndrome causes a feeling of restlessness in your legs. An overwhelming urge to move your legs, a tingling sensation, and physical jumping in your thighs, calves and feet. These symptoms can range from a slightly irritating tingling sensation, to an uncontrollable compulsion to move your legs, which can keep you up all night and cause stress and fatigue. Restless legs syndrome isn’t just related to the legs, either. Sometimes the symptoms of restless legs syndrome can be found in your arms as well.

Can restless legs syndrome lead to other problems?

While there is no medical evidence to suggest that restless legs syndrome can cause more serious health concerns, it can and will have a detrimental effect on your overall lifestyle and health, because it can cause sleep deprivation. Without healthy, natural sleep, all health conditions can worsen. If you develop restless legs syndrome earlier in life, you’re more likely to experience worsening symptoms over time, so it’s important to find the best treatment for you.