Restless Leg Syndrome Introduction   Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a relatively common neurological condition in which people suffer from unpleasant sensations in the legs and an overwhelming urge to move them in order to relieve these sensations. [1]  This condition is characterized by the involuntary jerking of the legs during times of inactivity and become more intense in the evening and night, especially at the onset of sleep.   Symptoms usually abate by the early morning hours, allowing for more productive sleep patterns.  In addition, symptoms may commonly occur during periods of inactivity such as sitting for long periods of time (car trips, plane rides, movie theaters).  Because the sensations are relieved by movement of the legs,  this needed movement results in a difficulty in falling and staying asleep.  Symptoms actually increase during periods of inactivity and when lying down.   Left untreated, a person with Restless Leg Syndrome can become exhausted as a result of interrupted sleep cycles.  Oftentimes, people with Restless Leg Syndrome do not seek medical attention because they feel that their doctor will not understand what they are experiencing, that symptoms are too mild, or that the condition is not treatable.  To compound this problem, physicians may wrongly ascribe the symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome to stress, insomnia, anxiety, muscle cramping, arthritis or aging.  Stress, caffeine or fatigue may exacerbate symptoms. [2, 3]     Restless Leg Syndrome Statistics   The unpleasant leg sensations of Restless Leg Syndrome are most often described as a crawling, drawing, pulling, tingling, boring, wormy, prickly, pins and needles sensation, or a sensation of pain. [4]  Sensations are usually localized deep within the affected limb, primarily between the knee and ankle.  At times, the symptoms may occur in the upper leg, feet, arms, or even hands. Although symptoms usually occur on both sides of the body during an episode, they may only affect one side in certain individuals.  With these sensations, people have an overwhelming urge to move the legs in order to diminish these uncomfortable feelings.  However, movement only provides temporary respite from the sensations and they usually recur within minutes.   A large majority (80%) of people with Restless Leg Syndrome have what is known as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).  PLMD is marked by stereotypical, repetitive movements of the limbs (but mainly the legs) occurs during sleep. These movements usually occur roughly at 20 to 40 second intervals, and contribute to fragmented sleep and daytime exhaustion.  Periodic limb movement disorder may also be referred to as periodic leg movements (PLMs), periodic movements in sleep (PMS), nocturnal myoclonus, and limb jerks.   The movements of PLMD are different from those of Restless Leg Syndrome.  PLMD movements are involuntary unlike those of Restless Leg Syndrome in which the patient moves in order to relieve the sensations.  Many people with Restless Leg Syndrome tend to develop PLMD, but most people with PLMD do not have Restless Leg Syndrome.  The cause of both conditions is presently unknown.   Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome vary widely, and range from mild to severe. Mild Restless Leg Syndrome occurs infrequently with little sleep disruption.   Moderate Restless Leg Syndrome may occur once or twice a week but lead to significant sleep disruption and resultant daytime sleepiness.   A person with severe Restless Leg Syndrome will experience symptoms more than twice a week with much sleep disruption and impaired daytime function. Symptoms may improve spontaneously over a period of weeks or months, or sometimes years. If improvements do occur, it happens during the early stages of the condition.  Improvement without treatment is fairly uncommon.  Left untended, Restless Leg Syndrome seems to worsen with increasing age.     Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms By most estimates, Restless Leg Syndrome affects roughly 2 to 5 percent of the population; however, it is thought that many more people have Restless Leg Syndrome and have not been diagnosed, suffering from a mild form of the disorder. [5]  Other research indicates that as many as 12 million Americans are affected by Restless Leg Syndrome. [6]   Lower prevalence rates of Restless Leg Syndrome have been noted in Japan, India, and Singapore, leading researchers to speculate that ethnic or racial factors may play a role in the development of Restless Leg Syndrome.   Restless Leg Syndrome is more common (and symptoms are more severe and last longer) in the elderly and is thought to affect 10 to 11 percent of this population.   Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome can occur at any age.  Some may start in infancy while most people with Restless Leg Syndrome are affected in middle age or later.   Oftentimes, Restless Leg Syndrome occurs in a familial pattern, meaning that more than one person in a family is usually affected.  Restless Leg Syndrome occurs in both males and females, but slightly more women are affected.   Investigators believe that one main cause of Restless Leg Syndrome is a type of defective signaling mechanism in the brain involving the neurotransmitter dopamine.  Dopamine levels follow a particular pattern during a 24-hour cycle; they are lowest at night when Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms are most prevalent. Learn More About Restless Leg Syndrome Restless Leg Syndrome Introduction Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment Products helpful for Restless Leg Syndrome   Learn More

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