In many cases of restless legs syndrome (RLS) the exact cause is unknown.
There is conflicting evidence about the role of a brain chemical called dopamine with RLS.
Some people benefit from a type of medication called a dopamine agonist which raises the levels of dopamine in the brain. This had lead to some people arguing that the condition is related to low levels of dopamine.
The theory is that low levels of dopamine disrupt the nerve signals sent from the brain to the legs, causing the typical involuntary movements and unpleasant sensations. Dopamine levels naturally fall towards the end of the day, which may explain why the symptoms of RLS are often worse in the evening and during the night.
However a problem with the above theory is that in some people with RLS, dopamine agonists actually make their symptoms worse. So the link between dopamine and RLS is not as clear-cut as previously thought.
Another point is that dopamine levels often drop when people are feeling unhappy, so any drop in dopamine levels could be the result, not the cause, of the symptoms of RLS.
Further research is required on this matter.
Underlying health condition
Secondary RLS can occur as a complication of another health condition, or it can develop as a result of another health-related factor.
For example, you may develop secondary RLS if you:
Triggers
There are a number of factors or triggers that do not cause RLS, but can make symptoms worse. These include a number of medications such as:
Other reported triggers include:
- smoking
- caffeine
- alcohol
- being overweight or obese
- stress
- lack of exercise
