What it feels like
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes a powerful urge to move your legs. They feel uncomfortable when you're lying down or sitting — people describe it as creeping, crawling, tingling or burning. Moving helps, but not for long.
RLS can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Causes
- Most often: no known cause.
- Sometimes: a disease or condition, such as anemia or pregnancy.
- Some medicines can cause temporary RLS.
What makes it worse
- caffeine
- tobacco
- alcohol
What helps
- Lifestyle changes: regular sleep habits, relaxation techniques, moderate exercise during the day.
- If those don't work, medicines may ease the symptoms.
Periodic limb movement disorder
Most people with RLS also have periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): the legs twitch or jerk uncontrollably, usually during sleep. Both RLS and PLMD can also affect the arms.
Sources
Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Restless Legs," National Library of Medicine, with content from the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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