What is RLS?

What is restless legs syndrome (RLS)?

RLS is a common, yet often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed,2 neurological sensorimotor disorder.3 People with RLS:

• Have a strong urge to move their legs which they really can’t resist. The need to move is often accompanied by uncomfortable leg sensations.4
• Have symptoms that start or become worse when they are resting. The longer they are resting, the greater the chance the symptoms will occur and the more severe they are likely to be.8
• Have symptoms that get better when they move their legs. The relief can be partially or totally relieved with movement, such as walking or stretching.1,2
• Have symptoms which are worse in the evening especially when lying down. Activities that bother them at night do not bother them during the day.1,2

Sleeping difficulties caused by RLS can lead to limited sleep and daytime sleepiness, resulting in diminished quality of life. Because of the sleep disturbance that occurs with RLS, it is often mistaken as a sleep disorder when, in fact, it is a movement disorder that can affect sleep.

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What are the symptoms of RLS?

While RLS symptoms often vary from person to person, they are typically described as an urge to move the legs accompanied by creeping, crawling, aching, or tugging sensations in the legs.4 These sensations often occur in the legs, but can also occur in the feet, thighs, chest, and arms. The discomfort of RLS often begins or intensifies when inactive. If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of RLS, it is important that you talk to your heath care professional.

Some people with RLS will not seek medical attention, believing that they will not be taken seriously, that their symptoms are too mild, or that the condition is not treatable. Some health care professionals inaccurately attribute the symptoms to nervousness, insomnia, stress, arthritis, muscle cramps or aging.10

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How do I know if I have RLS?

While there are no lab tests to diagnose RLS, your heath care professional may be able to make an official diagnosis given your responses to several simple questions about your symptoms. These include:

• Do you have an urge to move your legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable leg sensations?2
• Do your sensations begin or worsen during rest or inactivity, such as lying down or sitting?2
• Are your sensations partially or totally relieved by movement, such as walking or stretching?2
• Are your sensations worse in the evening or at night, or do they only occur in the evening and at night?2

If you answered "yes" to many of these questions, you may have RLS and should speak with your health care professional. To help you keep track of your symptoms and help bridge the conversation with your heath care professional about your symptoms, click here to access the RLS Symptom Diary and the RLS Symptom Diary Summary.

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Who does RLS affect?

RLS affects a range of people. In fact:

• Up to 10 percent of the U.S. adult population*1 is affected by mild, moderate or severe symptoms of RLS, which often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.1
• The average age of patients who begin to be affected by RLS is 46.1 A study of people living with RLS found that approximately 35 percent reported experiencing symptoms before the age of 20. Another study found that patients experienced symptoms before the age of 10.11,12
• RLS is slightly more common in women than in men.13
• RLS can affect people regardless of race/ethnicity.13
• The severity of the condition increases as one ages; older patients experience symptoms more frequently and for longer periods of time.3
• Sixty-three percent of people with RLS report that at least one family member lives with the condition.11

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What causes RLS?

In July of 2007, researchers discovered a gene variant for RLS,7 which helps explain why it may be traced through generations in families. Researchers believe this gene increases one’s risk for a type of hereditary RLS, known as primary or familial RLS.5

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Is there a difference between primary RLS and secondary RLS?

There are two types of RLS, primary and secondary. Primary RLS, also known as idiopathic RLS, is the most common type of RLS5 and can be hereditary. Primary RLS has no known cause.

Secondary RLS occurs as a result of an underlying medical condition or in association with the use of certain drugs.9 For example, some conditions that may cause secondary RLS include kidney failure, low levels of iron, anemia, pregnancy, and peripheral neuropathy. Stress, diet or other environmental factors may also play a role in the development of RLS.8,9

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Is there a cure for RLS?

There is currently no cure for RLS. However, in most cases RLS symptoms can be controlled through lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, and medical treatments as appropriate. People with RLS should speak with their health care professional to learn how to manage their RLS symptoms.

To help you keep track of your symptoms and bridge the conversation about symptoms with your health care professional, click here to access the RLS Symptom Diary and RLS Symptom Diary Summary. Tracking and talking about your symptoms may help your health care professional make an accurate diagnosis and then help you develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.

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What type of heath care professional should I call if I think I have RLS?

Because it is a neurological condition, RLS is most often diagnosed by neurology specialists. However, primary care physicians/general doctors, sleep specialists and even respiratory doctors can treat RLS. The RLS Foundation and the NSF both provide contact information for local area physicians. To find a health care professional through the RLS Foundation click here or to find a health care professional through the NSF click here.

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How is RLS treated?

For many people with RLS, prevention is the first step towards managing symptoms. People may work with their health care professional to develop a variety of lifestyle changes and activities to reduce symptoms. This can include decreasing caffeine, alcohol and tobacco intake; taking iron supplements; maintaining a regular sleep pattern; developing an exercise routine; taking a hot bath; massaging the legs or using a heating pad or ice pack.

For patients who are unable to find symptom relief through lifestyle changes, medical treatments are available.

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Can RLS lead to additional health problems?

The symptoms of RLS can disturb your sleep, which can lead to depression, mood swings, or other health problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Published research also suggests RLS may contribute to the risk of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular disease, particularly in people with greater frequency or severity of RLS symptoms and the elderly. If you think you have RLS, talk to your heath care professional to learn more about how you can manage your symptoms.

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Can I have RLS in other parts of my body (other than my legs)?

Yes, while RLS often affects the lower legs, it can also occur in the feet, thighs, chest, and arms.

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Is it possible for children to have RLS?

Yes. While RLS often affects adults, it is possible for children to experience the condition as well.

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Can RLS run in families/be hereditary?

RLS does run in families. In fact, 63 percent of people with RLS report having at least one family member with the condition. And in 2007, researchers published studies in The New England Journal of Medicine and Nature Genetics on the discovery of the first gene variant that contributes substantially to the risk of RLS.7

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Can RLS impact my daily activities?

RLS symptoms are reported to have a significant impact on sleep, in that they cause a majority of individuals with RLS to have difficulty falling asleep and/or to wake up three or more times per night. As a direct result, patients may experience daytime sleepiness, mood disturbance, and an inability to perform daily activities.

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Are there any resources I can turn to for additional support?

There are a variety of places you can turn to for additional support. Third-party organizations are an excellent resource to learn more about RLS and to find support groups in your area. These include the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation (www.rls.org) and the National Sleep Foundation (www.sleepfoundation.org). For additional information, click here.

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* RLS research is still ongoing. This number only represents the estimated percentage of U.S. adults who are affected by mild, moderate or severe symptoms of RLS. The total number of people affected by RLS is still being determined as children and teenagers are also affected by RLS.