Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. It typically happens in the evening or nighttime hours when youre sitting or lying down. Moving eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily. The exact cause of RLS is not known, but researchers suspect that it may be caused by an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, which sends messages to control muscle movement. RLS can sometimes be caused by an underlying medical condition (secondary RLS), such as iron-deficiency anemia, peripheral neuropathy, or kidney disease. Some people with RLS also have periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS), which is characterized by involuntary leg (and sometimes arm) twitching or jerking movements during sleep that typically occur every 15 to 40 seconds, sometimes throughout the night.

The following are some of the common triggers and symptoms of RLS:

• Triggers:
  • Low levels of iron (iron deficiency)
  • Anemia
  • Pregnancy
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Substance use disorder
• Symptoms:
  • Sensations that make you want to move your legs, which most often happen in your legs, but they can also affect your arms or your entire body
  • Crawling or creeping sensation in the feet, calves, and thighs
  • Uncontrollable urge to move your legs that’s at least partially relieved by movement
  • Symptoms occur mainly at night
  • Worsening of symptoms in the evening
  • Nighttime leg twitching
  • Symptoms can vary from mild to severe
  • In severe cases, RLS can be very distressing and disrupt a person’s daily activities

If you have RLS and your sleep is being severely disrupted, its particularly important to find out the levels of iron in your blood because low iron levels can sometimes cause secondary RLS. Low iron levels can be treated with iron tablets. Simple self-care steps and lifestyle changes may help relieve symptoms, and medications also help many people with RLS.