Why do i have restless legs

RLS, which also goes by the name Willis-Ekbom disease, can cause pain and discomfort and may affect up to 10 percent of Americans. RLS can interrupt daily activities at work and at home and is classified as a sleep disorder, generally occurring while a person is awake, but getting worse at night symptoms frequently come on while a person is attempting to fall asleep. You may be able to find temporary relief from RLS by moving your legs, stretching, or getting up and walking. Unfortunately, the same sensations can return when a person sits down again or heads back to bed.

Women are at greater risk of having RLS than men, although both men and women can develop the condition and it can begin at any age. In many cases, however, those with severe bouts of RLS are middle-aged or older and the symptoms that accompany it tend to worsen and increase in frequency as a person ages.

Research indicates that this condition has a genetic component. RLS may come about because of a dysfunction in the section of the brain that controls movement. In normal circumstances, dopamine sets off a chain of reactions that results in smooth, intentional movements by the muscles in the body. But when the dopamine pathway in the brain is disrupted, RLS can occur. Additional risk factors for RLS may include:. It is frequently accompanied by unpleasant sensations, which are described differently by different people.

People with RLS often refer to it as an itching, tingling, aching, burning, crawling, or throbbing pain. Children with RLS should avoid caffeine and develop good bedtime habits. If necessary, medications that affect dopamine, benzodiazepines, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed.

Learn more about how children are affected by restless leg syndrome ». Try to cut high-calorie processed foods with little or no nutritional value. Some people with symptoms of RLS are deficient in particular vitamins and minerals. It all depends on what your test results show. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, so you might also want to pair iron-rich foods with these sources of vitamin C:.

Caffeine is tricky. It can trigger symptoms of RLS in some people, but actually helps others. Try to avoid it, especially in the evening. Learn more about how your diet can relieve symptoms of restless leg syndrome ». Those strange sensations in your legs can be uncomfortable or painful. And those symptoms can make it almost impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep.

In addition to working with your doctor to find relief, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of restful sleep:. Check out more tips for better sleep with restless leg syndrome ». Symptoms of RLS can spring up for the first time during pregnancy, usually in the last trimester. Data suggests that pregnant women may have two or three times higher risk of RLS.

Some possibilities are vitamin or mineral deficiencies, hormonal changes, or nerve compression. Pregnancy can also cause leg cramps and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can be hard to distinguish from RLS. You may need to be tested for iron or other deficiencies. RLS in pregnancy usually goes away on its own within weeks after giving birth.

Be sure to mention if you are breast-feeding. Learn more about how restless leg syndrome can affect pregnancy ». Both sides of the body are usually involved, but some people have it on only one side. This causes involuntary leg twitching or jerking during sleep that can last all night long.

Peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, and kidney failure cause symptoms like RLS. Treating the underlying condition often helps. The same medications can improve symptoms of both conditions. Medication used to combat fatigue associated with chronic diseases can also cause this. Medication adjustments and home remedies may help. Anyone can have occasional leg cramps or strange sensations that come and go. When symptoms interfere with sleep, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Be sure to mention any underlying health conditions.

This includes one million school-age children. Among people with RLS, 35 percent had symptoms before age One in ten report symptoms by age Symptoms tend to worsen with age. Incidence is twice as high in women as in men. Pregnant women may have two or three times higher risk than the general population.

Certain antihistamines, antinausea, antidepressant, or antipsychotic medications can trigger or worsen symptoms of RLS. PLMS involves involuntary leg twitching or jerking every 15 to 40 seconds during sleep. But more than 40 percent of people with RLS have some family history of the condition.

There are five gene variants associated with RLS. Simple lifestyle changes, over-the-counter pain relievers, exercise, and other home remedies can go a long way in helping you alleviate your RLS…. Restless leg syndrome RLS is a common problem for pregnant women. Learn how to recognize RLS and treat it with home remedies.

Restless legs syndrome RLS can lead to poor quality of life. Learn about treatments such as supplements, medication, foot wraps, and vibrating pads….

These sensations create an overwhelming urge to move the legs. People with RLS may walk, stretch, or shake their legs to achieve relief. Symptoms tend to be worse when inactive, including when relaxing or lying down. As a result, the symptoms of RLS often disrupt sleep. People of all ages can develop RLS, but the most severe symptoms tend to occur in older adults.

This makes them difficult to characterize. According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders , the words and phrases most commonly used by RLS patients to describe the feelings are:.

Learn more about RLS symptoms here. RLS symptoms often appear shortly after laying down at night and patients will kick, squirm, or massage their legs to lessen the sensation.

Some people with RLS are compelled to get out of bed and pace or stretch. As a result of the sleep disturbances associated with RLS, patients often experience fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

Sleep deficiency is associated with depression, anxiety, heart disease, and obesity. RLS patients are at greater risk for these issues as well. Concerns about sleep are the main reason RLS patients seek medical care for their condition. PLMD involves repetitive flexing or twitching of the limbs while asleep at night. It is different from RLS in that these movements are not accompanied by uncomfortable sensations and because they occur during sleep, patients are often not aware of them.

However, PLMD-associated movements can cause a person to wake up and therefore can compound sleep issues in patients who also have RLS. The symptoms of RLS typically decline after delivery. However, the cause of most RLS cases is unknown. RLS may have a genetic component. Researchers have identified some genetic changes that increase risk for RLS, but it is likely that more have yet to be discovered.

Sitting or resting are common triggers for RLS symptoms. Additionally, some substances can make symptoms worse. These include:. Incidentally, most of these substances when taken in excess or too close to bedtime can also adversely affect our sleep architecture. The goals of treatment for RLS are to stabilize symptoms and improve sleep consistency. There are both non-medicinal approaches and drug treatments available to manage RLS. The following approaches can reduce symptoms in patients with mild or moderate RLS and may be used in combination with medication in RLS patients who have severe symptoms.

Learn more about treating RLS here. Alexa Fry is a science writer with experience working for the National Cancer Institute. She also holds a certificate in technical writing. Wright, M. She has a decade of experience in the study of disease.

Restless legs syndrome RLS , otherwise known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a disorder characterized by uncomfortable tingling sensations and an irresistible…. If you are experiencing leg pain at night, you may be wondering if you have restless leg syndrome RLS. Good sleep is essential for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.