Understanding Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome Overview

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder that causes a tingling or prickling sensation in the legs that is temporarily eased by moving the legs. People with RLS feel an impulse to stretch and move their legs to stop the pain. This interferes both with falling asleep and with staying asleep. RLS can occur in one or both legs (and is often worse in the calves) and occasionally in the arms.

RLS Symptoms

In addition to painful tingling in the legs, people with RLS may experience several other symptoms, including:

* Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
* Periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS), which are brief, sudden movements of the legs every five to 90 seconds
* Painful sensations in the legs when sitting or lying down for a long period of time (for example, while sitting in a car or behind a desk)

Who Gets Restless Legs Syndrome?

Between five and 15 percent of Americans are estimated to have RLS. The older you are, the greater your chances of having RLS. Approximately 30 percent of insomnia in older adults is caused by RLS. Women are more likely than men to have RLS. Pregnancy, kidney problems and nutritional deficiencies can trigger or worsen RLS. RLS is thought to be a hereditary disorder.

What Causes RLS?

Researchers think that an iron deficiency in the fluid in the brain causes RLS. Iron is necessary for the brain to produce dopamine, which controls limb movement. Testing for iron in the blood does not diagnosis RLS because the blood iron may be normal while the iron in the fluid around the brain is too low.

RLS and High Blood Pressure

Recent studies show that blood pressure may elevate by an average of 22 points systolic (top number) and 11 points diastolic (bottom number) during episodes of RLS. In addition, the blood pressure could spike every 20 to 40 seconds many times during the night. This increases the risk of heart disease.

Managing RLS

RLS cannot be “cured” but it can be managed. In some cases, doctors will prescribe medications that work like dopamine in the body. These help control the painful sensations and impulsive movements. People with mild cases may benefit from sedatives or changes in lifestyle. Avoiding caffeine, practicing good sleep hygiene, stretching, taking a hot bath and massaging the legs before bedtime may help RLS symptoms. Iron and vitamin supplements may also help some people with RLS.



Sources:

National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.