Restless Legs SyndromeSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Restless Legs Syndrome
View Main Condition: Movement Disorders
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system problem that causes you to feel an unstoppable urge to get up and pace or walk. You feel uncomfortable unless you move your legs. Moving stops the unpleasant feeling for a short time.
This disorder is also known as restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED).
Willis-Ekbom disease; Nocturnal myoclonus; RLS; Akathisia
No one knows exactly what causes RLS. It may be due to a problem with the way brain cells use dopamine. Dopamine is a brain chemical that helps with muscle movement.
RLS may be linked to some other conditions. It may occur more often in people with:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Iron, magnesium, or folic acid deficiency
- Anemia (often due to iron deficiency)
- Parkinson disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Pregnancy
- Multiple sclerosis
RLS may also occur in people who:
- Use certain medicines such as calcium channel blockers, lithium, or neuroleptics
- Are stopping sedative use
- Use caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine
RLS occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults. Women are more likely to have RLS than men.
RLS is commonly passed down in families. This may be a factor when symptoms start at a younger age.
RLS leads to unpleasant feelings in your lower legs. These feelings cause an unstoppable urge to move your legs. You may feel:
- Creeping and crawling
- Bubbling, pulling, or tugging
- Burning or searing
- Aching, throbbing, or pain
- Itching or gnawing
- Tingling, pins and needles in the feet
These sensations:
- Are worse at night when you lie down to the point that it may interfere with sleep and keep you awake
- Sometimes occur during the day
- Start or get worse when you lie down or sit for long periods of time
- May last for 1 hour or longer
- Sometimes also occur in the upper legs, feet, or arms
- Are relieved when you move or stretch as long as you keep moving
These symptoms can make it difficult to sit during air or car travel, or through classes or meetings.
Stress or emotional upset can make symptoms worse.
Most people with RLS have rhythmic leg movements when they sleep. This condition is called periodic limb movement disorder.
All of these symptoms make it hard to sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to:
- Daytime sleepiness
- Anxiety or depression
- Confusion
- Difficulty thinking clearly
RLS can't be cured. However, treatment can help relieve symptoms.
Certain lifestyle changes may help you cope with the condition and ease symptoms.
- Get enough sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Make sure your bed and bedroom are comfortable.
- Try using hot or cold packs on your legs.
- Help your muscles relax with gentle stretches, massage, and warm baths.
- Take time out of your day to just relax. Try yoga, meditation, or other ways to ease tension.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. They may make symptoms worse.
Your provider may prescribe medicines to treat RLS.
Some medicines help control symptoms:
- Pramipexole (Mirapex)
- Ropinirole (Requip)
- Low doses of narcotics are used only for people who don't respond to these treatments
If you are found to have iron deficiency anemia, it is important to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of the iron deficiency. Iron replacement may be necessary and may help reduce the symptoms of RLS in some people.
Other medicines can help you sleep:
- Sinemet (combination carbidopa-levodopa), an anti-Parkinson medicine
- Gabapentin or pregabalin
- Clonazepam or other tranquilizers
Medicines to help you sleep may cause daytime sleepiness.
Treating conditions with similar symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy can also help relieve symptoms.
Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic - Clinic 1L
With over 15 years of experience in the field of electroencephalography, epilepsy diagnosis, and the management of people with drug-resistant epilepsy, I serve as the Director of the Duke Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. My responsibilities also encompass overseeing the Analytical Neurophysiology Lab, which focuses on advancing the field of neurophysiology to more accurately localize epileptic foci in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, employing state-of-the art signal analysis techniques integrated with artificial intelligence. The ultimate aim of this endeavor is to optimize treatment efficacy through individually tailored approaches, thereby enhancing the quality of life in people with epilepsy. Central to my approach is the concerted effort to assemble a highly collaborative team to achieve the best possible outcome for each patient. To do so, I also strive to integrate the latest innovative developments in the field into patient care, ensuring the highest treatment standards in our field. Dr. Frauscher is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Epilepsy, Restless Legs Syndrome, Seizures, REM Behavior Disorder, and Deep Brain Stimulation.
Emory Sleep Center
Lynn Trotti is a Sleep Medicine provider practicing medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. She has been practicing medicine for over 23 years. Dr. Trotti is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Idiopathic Hypersomnia, Drowsiness, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Restless Legs Syndrome, and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Dr. Trotti is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology, 2009.
Bogan Sleep Consultants, LLC
Richard Bogan is a Sleep Medicine provider practicing medicine in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Bogan is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Drowsiness, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Narcolepsy, and Idiopathic Hypersomnia. Dr. Bogan is board certified in American Board Of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Bogan is currently accepting new patients.
RLS is not dangerous. However, it can be uncomfortable, making it hard to sleep and affecting your quality of life.
You may not be able to sleep well (insomnia).
Contact your provider for an appointment if:
- You have symptoms of RLS
- Your sleep is disrupted
- Symptoms get worse
There is no way to prevent RLS.
Summary: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent sensorimotor disorder affecting pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester, and is associated with sleep disturbances, fatigue and reduced quality of life. Non-pharmacological strategies such as stretching and strength training offer promising alternatives during pregnancy. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of static s...
Summary: This study will be a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in the Gynecology and Physiotherapy departments of Valencia Health Clinic, Lahore. Non-probability purposive sampling will be used to collect data. A total of 40 pregnant women aged between 20-35 years, in their 2nd or 3rd trimester and clinically diagnosed with RLS, will be included after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion cri...
Published Date: July 17, 2025
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Allen RP, Montplaisir J, Walters AS, Hogl B, Ferini-Strambi L. Restless legs syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease) and periodic limb movements during sleep. In: Kryger M, Roth T, Goldstein CA, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 121.
Avidan AY. Sleep and its disorders. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 101.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Restless legs syndrome. www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome. Updated April 7, 2025. Accessed July 30, 2025.
Vaughn BV, Basner RC. Sleep disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 374.
Winkelman JW, Armstrong MJ, Allen RP, et al. Practice guideline summary: treatment of restless legs syndrome in adults: report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2016;87(24):2585-2593. PMID: 27856776 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27856776/.