Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to keep your legs moving constantly. The urge usually stems from continuous, unmanageable pain or discomfort in the legs. Walking around is usually the only thing that will make you feel better. This disease is sometimes referred to as Willis-Ekbom disease.
Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
Though the classic sign of restless leg syndrome is the overwhelming desire to move your legs, there are also some other common signs and symptoms of the disease. RLS symptoms include:
- Abnormal, unpleasant sensations in the legs and feet, usually on both sides of the body
- Sensations that seem to be within your limb rather than on the skin
- Sensations often described as crawling, creeping, pulling, throbbing, aching, and itching
- Sensation after you have been sitting or lying down for an extended period of time, such as in a car, airplane, or movie theater
- Symptoms that worsen during the evening hours
- Symptoms that are relieved by movement, such as stretching, pacing, jiggling your legs, or walking around
Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome
Though there is no definitive cause for restless leg syndrome, recent research suggests that the condition is triggered by an imbalance of dopamine in the brain—the chemical that sends messages that control muscle movement.
RLS is also thought to be hereditary in some cases, since it is common for the disease to run in families. This is especially common if the condition begins before the age of fifty. This means that there is a specific gene for restless leg syndrome that may be present on the chromosomes and can therefore be passed down from generation to generation.
Additionally, pregnancy can lead to hormonal changes that can cause RLS symptoms to develop. It is common for restless leg syndrome to occur in women during their last trimester, but signs and symptoms will usually go away after the delivery.
Treatment of Restless Leg Syndrome
Sometimes, RLS symptoms can be caused by an underlying condition, such as an iron deficiency. If this is the case, then identifying and treating this condition can greatly relieve the RLS symptoms you are experiencing.
However, if your restless leg syndrome symptoms do not have an underlying cause, then treatment will focus on medications and lifestyle changes to try to relieve the symptoms. Some common RLS medications include:
- Dopamine-increasing medications: Drugs such as ropinirole, rotigotine, and pramipexole work to reduce the motion in your legs by affecting the level of dopamine in your brain, which controls movement.
- Calcium channel blockers: Pain medications such as gabapentin and Lyrica are medications that have been effective for some people who suffer from RLS.
- Opioids: Sometimes narcotic medications such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are the only things can relieve severe symptoms. However, these medications can be addicting in high doses, so it is important to use them in moderation.
- Muscle relaxants or sleep medications: There is a class of medications called benzodiazepines which won’t relieve the leg sensations, but they can help you sleep better. However, these medications can cause daytime drowsiness. Common benzodiazepines include clonazepam, eszopiclone, temazepam, zaleplon, and zolpidem. These medications can also become addictive if they are not used correctly.
