Restless Legs Syndrome

Our Approach

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. This makes it difficult for people to fall asleep and get good rest. It can also cause daytime drowsiness.

The sleep specialists at Franciscan Health have options that can provide you with relief and help you fall sleep.

Restless legs syndrome treatment

Some medications can help relieve RLS symptoms, including:

• Drugs that increase dopamine levels
• Muscle relaxers
• Sleep aids

Other techniques can relieve symptoms and help you relax, including:

• Taking a hot bath before bedtime
• Massaging your legs
• Meditating or doing yoga before bedtime
• Avoiding or reducing caffeine use

Diagnosing RLS

There is no definitive test to diagnose RLS. Your doctor may perform a physical or neurological test to rule out causes of restless legs. We may also test for other potential causes, including:

• Iron deficiency
• Parkinson's disease
• Neuropathy
• Kidney disease

About RLS

Restless legs syndrome usually strikes at night. It can also happen if you sit for a long period of time, such as on long car rides or airplane trips. Sometimes you can relieve symptoms by getting up and moving around, but the relief may not last for the entire night.

RLS can affect anyone, but most people who experience it are older, and it affects more women than men. RLS also tends to run in families. Pregnant women are susceptible to the disorder, but it usually goes away after childbirth.

While there's no known cause, RLS may develop because of a dopamine imbalance. Dopamine is a brain chemical that sends messages to the legs. Certain medications can increase dopamine levels.

Restless legs syndrome symptoms

Symptoms of RLS often include:

• A creeping, crawling discomfort in the legs
• A numbness, pulling, tingling, throbbing or itching feeling in the legs
• Symptoms that go away temporarily with walking, stretching or jiggling the legs