RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Restless legs syndrome is a sleep disorder. Uncomfortable feelings in the legs cause an uncontrollable urge to move. These feelings usually happen at rest or during sleep. A person may have creeping, pulling, itching, crawling, tingling or prickly feelings in the legs. The legs may also jerk suddenly. These movements and feelings disrupt sleep, causing excessive daytime sleepiness. Walking or moving the legs may relieve the uncomfortable feelings. Lying down and keeping the legs still actually may make the feelings worse.

The cause of restless legs syndrome is not known and there is no cure. Restless legs syndrome can be a problem at any age. Any of the following situations may trigger or aggravate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome:

long trips in a car or airplane
being over-tired
eating foods or drinking beverages that contain caffeine
drinking alcohol
use of some medications and
other medical conditions

There is no specific test to diagnose restless legs syndrome. A healthcare provider will take a medical history, perform a thorough exam and order laboratory tests to remove the possibility of other medical conditions. Some persons may need an overnight sleep test to determine the cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Self-care for prevention and relief of restless legs syndrome symptoms includes:

eating a healthy balanced diet (such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol)
good sleep hygiene (Go to bed at the same time every night in a quiet, comfortable environment. Get up at the same time every morning.)
massaging or stretching the legs
taking a hot bath and
using a warm or cold compress to the legs

For more information about restless legs syndrome, consult with your healthcare provider or visit the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation website at www.rls.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File GHEA4590.Rf2 VRS# 4590 Data Version 7.0