Restless Leg Syndrome: Here's Why Some People Feel a Strong Urge To Move Their Legs

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition that involves the strong urge to move one's legs while resting.

A person experiencing RLS may feel certain sensations, such as throbbing, crawling, pulling, or itching. It triggers a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs.

Restless Leg Syndrome Explained

Also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, RLS symptoms are more prevalent when the body is resting during the evening. It typically happens on top of uncomfortable leg sensations, such as aches or throbbing. This urge to keep on moving can affect one's ability to feel relaxed or fall asleep.

In the case of mild RLS, symptoms may not happen each night. The symptoms could be attributed to stress, nervousness, or restlessness.

Individuals who have RLS have a higher likelihood of experiencing difficulties in falling or staying asleep. This is due to how the symptoms are typically worse at night.

RLS symptoms may typically affect both body sides, though some individuals may only feel them on one side. Symptoms could come and go in mild cases and worsen with age.

Causes and Risk Factors

Roughly 10% of Americans are affected by RLS. The syndrome can occur at any age, though it tends to be more severe during middle age. Women also have a twice higher likelihood of having RLS compared to men.

Over 40% of individuals with RLS have a family history of it. There are also five genetic variants that have been linked to the condition. If RLS is hereditary, symptoms may start surfacing before 40 years of age.

RLS has also been associated with dopamine pathway disruptions within the brain. Since Parkinson's is associated with dopamine, this could shed light on why several patients of Parkinson's disease also experience RLS. There are also some medications that are used for treating both conditions.

There is also a possibility that some substances, such as alcohol and caffeine, could intensify or trigger some symptoms. Some medications for nausea, allergies, psychosis, and depression could also potentially cause it.

Though primarily RLS is not associated with any underlying health condition, RLS could end up offshooting other health issues. In such cases, treating the primary condition could help in resolving issues with RLS.

Diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and kidney failure could also lead to RLS-like symptoms. Treating the main medical condition could be of help.

Roughly 80% of individuals with RLS also experience periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS). This leads to the involuntary twitching or jerking of the leg during sleep. It may go on for the entire night.

Having RLS could also elevate one's risk of diabetes, stroke, heart disease, early death, depression, and kidney disease.

As for treating RLS, there are some home remedies that could help reduce the symptoms. These may include reducing or eliminating caffeine intake, adhering to a fixed sleep schedule, exercising daily, stretching or massaging muscles at night, using a heating pad when symptoms surface, and practicing meditation.