Restless legs syndrome 

Introduction 

Restless legs syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a fairly common condition that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and is related to an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine. Dr Julian Spinks emphasises the importance of good sleep and talks about how the symptoms of RLS can be reduced.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common condition affecting the nervous system, which causes an overwhelming, irresistable urge to move the legs.

It also causes an unpleasant feeling in the feet, calves and thighs, which is often felt as a crawling or creeping sensation.

The symptoms of RLS can vary from being mild to severe. In severe cases, the condition can be distressing and can disrupt daily activities.

Some people have symptoms now and again, while others have them every day. Read more about the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

RLS is sometimes known as Ekbom syndrome.

Causes of RLS

In the majority of cases, there is no obvious cause of RLS. Doctors may refer to this as idiopathic RLS, or primary RLS. This type of RLS can run in families.

Some neurologists (experts in treating conditions that affect the nervous system) share the opinion that the symptoms may have something to do with low levels of a chemical called dopamine in the body. Dopamine plays a role in controlling muscle movement, and low levels of this chemical may cause the involuntary leg movements associated with RLS.

Some cases of RLS are caused by an underlying health condition, such as iron deficiency anaemia, or kidney failure. Doctors may refer to this as secondary RLS.

There is also a link between RLS and pregnancy and around one in five pregnant women will experience symptoms of RLS in the last three months (third trimester) of their pregnancy, although it is not clear exactly why.

Read more about the causes of restless legs syndrome.

Treating RLS

Mild cases of RLS that are not linked to an underlying health condition may not require any treatment other than making a few lifestyle changes, such as:

  • quitting smoking (if you smoke)
  • avoiding alcohol and caffeine
  • exercising regularly

If RLS is more troublesome, medication may be needed to regulate the levels of dopamine in the body.

If RLS is caused by iron deficiency anaemia, for example, then iron supplements may be all that is needed to treat the RLS symptoms.

Read more about the treatment of restless legs syndrome.

Who is affected?

As many as one in ten people are affected by RLS at some point in their life.

Women are twice as likely to develop RLS than men. The condition is also more common in middle age, but the symptoms can develop at any age, including childhood.

Outlook

Often, addressing the underlying cause of RLS will cure the person of symptoms. If RLS is related to pregnancy, it will usually go away once a woman has given birth.

However, when the cause for RLS is unknown, the symptoms can get worse with time and severely affect the person's life. It is however not life-threatening, but it can severely disrupt sleep and trigger anxiety and depression.

The Ekbom Support Group offers support and more information for people affected by restless legs syndrome, and they may be able to put you in touch with others affected by the condition.




Last reviewed: 31/10/2011

Next review due: 31/10/2013

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14 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

RSLSufferer said on 16 September 2012

I've had RSL for about 6 years ( the full works - legs, arms, torso and really annoyingly, fingers ) and its getting worse, though usually appears in bouts. I find taking good vitamin and mineral supplements often helps reduce symptoms almost immediately. On a day to day basis my one fail safe measure that brings a wonderful symptomless night's sleep is simply pushing the bed up against a wall and jambing the offending limb down the side. I know - it sounds odd, but it works. Obviously when its both legs its a real nuisance. I have to be prepared to sleep at either end of the bed to target the kicking limb, this might happen several times a night during bad bouts. I hope this brings you a better night sleep :)

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Doylabot said on 08 March 2012

I'm really pleased to read that some of you are finding different methods to ease the symptoms, I also used to find that a leg massage would help, if you can fall asleep quickly then this is often good enough, same with cold showers.

I find cary grant's comments particularly interesting as I also eat a lot of bananas and this could possibly have contributed to my symptoms disappearing.

It is difficult to be absolutely certain what worked as my diet forced me to remove all dairy products, wheat, sugars, and all artificial additives. Naturally this led to me increasing my fruit and vegetable intake to ensure I received enough nutrition.

From other articles i have read it would appear that dairy products are the most likely link to this condition. It is such a pity that no-one has followed my advice really as it doesn't hurt to go without milk etc for a month - at least you'll know at the end! but then we are a nation of tea lovers, maybe some would rather have rls than go without a cuppa.

Good luck to you all and take care.

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cary grant said on 05 February 2012

I've found two things which help the condition of restless leg syndrome;

1. banana's - sounds odd but the potassium and chlorides in bananas may help the condition as they replenish lost hydrates from the body

2. a device that my son bought me called circulation max - it uses EMS technology. i place my feet on the foot pads and electricla impulses go through the soles of my feet. this then contracts and relaxes my calf muscles. this action seems to get rid of the tension and stiffness before i go to bed at night. i use it for 30 mins just before i sleep

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noor31 said on 08 December 2011

I have been suffering from RLS from childhood but could never figure out why .I started massaging my legs with almond oil downwards before sleeping and it works like magic. you all should give it a try maybe it works for u .

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noor31 said on 08 December 2011

I have been suffering from RLS from childhood but could never figure out why .I started massaging my legs with almond oil downwards before sleeping and it works like magic. you all should give it a try maybe it works for u .

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QueenieLaureenie said on 29 November 2011

Until coming across the name for RLS purely by chance (I had been watching an episode of One Foot in the Grave, and it is mentioned Victor is an RLS sufferer) I always assumed it was just me and my family that suffered from it.
I'm relieved to finally have a proper medical name for it (As it runs in our family, starting with my great, great Grandma Beevers, it was always referred to as 'The Beevers Leg'.)
Now I can finally seek treatment for what I always thought was a family foible.

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marylou53 said on 28 November 2011

i had an operation on my left ankle a week ago. My rls has kicked n with a vengeance and causes my ankle to stretch and spasm. It is agonisng and yhe only way to relieve it is to get up so not only is my ankle incredibly painful i am exhausted. i'm trying not to sleep during thday as ths will upset my sleep patterns. Any ideas?

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Doylabot said on 04 November 2011

I used to suffer quite badly with this and it would mostly affect my legs from the knees down, but would also happen to my forearms quite badly too. At times this could be almost unbearable as the "tingling" would increase in intensity the longer I remained motionless.

Most of the suggestions people have made are useful and similar to what I tried, also I would quite often run a cold shower over my legs before going to bed and that seemed to help. But now I no longer suffer, I know that these measures just masked the problem, by numbing the area long enough to go to sleep

I understand that everyone is different and what works for some may not work for others but I would like to share what I believe has cured me.

Last year I started on a diet to try to improve my general wellbeing ( rather than lose weight) and i was recommended by a friend to try something called the Elimination Diet. Now I wont go into great detail about this diet as there are many sceptics out there who previously accused me of trying to advertise it. However, it is my firm belief that at least one major change of habit (from the free diet) has cured me of the RLS, that is to stop drinking milk and eating dairy products.

I have read that an imbalance between the amount of calcium and magnesium can contribute to RLS. Calcium to magnesium ratio should be around 2:1 but with milk it is 10:1, so basically if you reduce the amount of calcium it can help you greatly. But it is important to stress that you must do this as part of a balanced diet, so if you are concerned about your calcium levels dropping too low, you can help by eating more green veg, eg: brocolli and kale are the 2 best, along with nuts like almonds.

I really hope that some of you try this and see a benefit.

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Moneypenny2 said on 14 August 2011

i am 60 and have suffered Rl intermittently over the last 20 years which prevents me from sleeping sometimes. Thank you so much to the pregnant lady who suggested the tiptoe exercises. I've not tried any other remedies but this worked a treat.

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ChloeofSuburbia said on 04 June 2011

I have been suffering with the condition on and off for a few years now (I began to notice it when I was in my early Tenage years and had become a Vegetarian...) When I went back to having to eat meat (not through my own beliefs, more because it was affecting my health) the symptoms were very far and few between.

However, when I was in my Mid-Teen years, they Symptoms dragged themselves back up from the depths, and I'd suffered on and off more frequently than I had at 12-14 years old.

Now, as I am waving Goodbye my Teenage years, they symptoms seem to be kicking in with a Vengence, making it nigh on impossible for me to sleep through the night (not useful when you're studying in Higher Education)

I went to give blood about 2 months ago, not for the first time, and was nearly refused due to a very very low Iron count... When I went to my doctors, they said my Iron levels were low, but didn't suggest any options. I have started taking Iron tablets to help support my Iron count, as I cannot eat some of the foods high in Iron... I wondered how other people dealt with the situation, and if they had any hints and tips?

Thankyou :-)

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trotsentry said on 02 March 2011

Take heart all you sufferers - I suffered for over ten years and then without any treatment or medication the dreaded condition just dissapeared I have been completely clear for the past five years -so it seems it can just burn out - What a relief. It is often said that this condition increases with age - in my case it has gone with age. Now aged 80 and still climbing mountains and sleeping soundly every night - So remember there is hope

Allan Collins

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rlshell said on 28 February 2011

i have suffered with rls for approximately 10 years (i am 38yrs old). I literally went years with little or no sleep and found myself jogging on the spot in the kitchen at 3am to try to tire myself out and relieve the symptoms!! the symptoms were now spreading into my arms. I was prescribed codeine which gave some relief but soon wore off. Then i was told about pramipexole by a friend. from day 1 it has completely relieved the symptoms as long as i take it 2 hours before bed. 8 months later now and i have suffered no side effects. it has literally saved my life as the lack of sleep and discomfort at night was seriously depressing me. Tell your doctor that you want to try this drug as in my case i had to do all the research. I think our nhs is excellent and am not knocking anyone but i think there is a general lack of knowledge or awareness re this problem.

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Bunnyhoney said on 19 October 2010

I also used to suffer from RLS intermittently but on occasions it was quite severe causing me to get up at night and try walking around. I had a hysterectomy 10 months ago for heavy bleeding and fibroids, my Hb levels were very low. And hey, surprise surprise I haven't had another episode of RLS since! This makes me suspect that the link to low heamaglobin and iron-deficiency may be important. Have you tried taking iron supplements?

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RLSsufferer said on 30 June 2010

It said under the treatment section to avoid exercising at night just before bed. I have suffered with RLS for nearly 2 years since I was pregnant. It feels like my calf muscles are too active at night need wearing out! I have found that if I stand on my tiptoes and then slowly lower my heels to the floor ( like calf raising exercises)15- 20 times either before bed or after the RL symptoms have started, this wears the legs out sufficiently. When I get back in bed the symptoms have gone and I can sleep! I recommended this to another pregnant ladywho I overheard complaining about the symdrome and she told me a week later it worked a treat for her too. I hope this information helps other people with their RL. The exercises take less than 5 minutes to do. Nothing else has worked for me.

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