Restless leg syndrome

Causes and Risks:
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults. It is worsened by stress . The disorder consists of sensations in the lower legs that make the person uncomfortable unless the legs are moved. The sensations usually occur shortly after going to bed but may also occur during the daytime. The abnormal sensations occasionally occur in the upper leg, the feet, or the arms in addition to the lower leg. The cause is unknown. There are often no obvious vascular or neurologic abnormalities associated with the disorder. Sometimes RLS can be associated with peripheral nerve diseases.

There is an irresistible urge to walk or move the legs to relieve the discomfort, resulting in periodic episodes of leg movements during early sleep stages. The symptoms may last for 1 hour or longer. RLS can result in a decreased quality of sleep ( insomnia ) with subsequent daytime sleepiness , anxiety or depression , and confusion or slowed thought processes from lack of sleep.

Prevention:
Techniques to promote muscle relaxation and stress reduction techniques may reduce the incidence of RLS in people prone to the condition.

Symptoms:
  • sleeping difficulty
  • persistent leg movements during sleep hours
  • irresistible urge to move the legs
  • abnormal sensation in the legs (occasionally, feet, thighs, arms)
    • creeping sensations or discomfort (not pain, not cramps) relieved by movement of the legs
    • may occur during the day
    • worse when lying down

Note: symptoms may be worse during stress or emotional upset.

Signs and Tests:
An examination is nonspecific for RLS. No structural or other abnormalities are usually discovered unless peripheral nerve disease is also present. AN examination and testing may be used to rule out other disorders that may cause similar symptoms, especially disorders associated with claudication of the legs.

Treatment:
There is no known cure for RLS.

Minimizing stress and promoting muscle relaxation are often helpful in reducing episodes of RLS. Warm baths, gentle stretching exercises, massage, or similar techniques may promote muscle relaxation. If sleep is severely disrupted, medications such as Sinemet (an anti-Parkinson's medication) or tranquilizers such as clonazepam may be helpful to some people, but they may worsen daytime sleepiness in other people. Sometimes low doses of narcotics will relieve symptoms of RLS.

Prognosis:
The disorder is not dangerous or life threatening and does not indicate a serious disorder. It can be uncomfortable and can disrupt sleep.

Complications:
Insomnia can occur.

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of restless leg syndrome are present and sleep is disrupted.