Restless Legs Syndrome

A condition characterized by a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs, typically in the evenings.
Restless legs syndrome typically occurs while sitting or lying down. It generally worsens with age and can disrupt sleep.
The main symptom is a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs.
Getting up and moving around helps the unpleasant feeling temporarily go away. Self-care steps, lifestyle changes, or medications may help.

 

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW187
Diagnosis: Restless Legs Syndrome (
US Patients: 2-15% of the population, higher %s when along with some other difficulties.
World Patients:
Sex Ratio: M;F2
Age Onset: “Early Onset RLS” hereditary, starts before age 45 and worsens over time. Late-onset RLS starts suddenly after 45, doesn’t worsen’
Brain Area: genetic, autosomal dominant (only needs gene from one parent)
Symptoms: Long term-urging leg (and sometimes arm) movement; sensation/pain begins while awake but relaxing.
Progression: worsened by any surgery, but especially back surgery or injury
Causes: “motor restlessness” – worsen by relaxation, iron deficiency, dopamine changes, reduced leg-oxygen levels, some medications
Medications: gabapentin, opioids – when resistant to other medications
Therapies: regular exercise, good sleep practices, stopping smoking; stretching legs and walking bring temporary relief

Youtube Video:

Restless Leg Syndrome

Youtube Video: Kids Not Sleeping-Restless Legs Might Be The Problem

Amazon or Library Book: Restless Legs Syndrome

Click the book to link or order from Amazon.

Support Group: rls.org; 512-366-9109 (Restless Legs Foundation)

4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED

The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis 

Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.

  • Evaluation of the relationship between restless legs syndrome, mental status, and sleep disorders among Moroccan women during their third trimester of pregnancy
    by Maroua Guerroumi on May 2, 2024

    CONCLUSION: RLS is encountered during the prenatal period, with a higher prevalence in the last trimester. During this stage of pregnancy, women suffering from RLS were vulnerable to anxiety and sleep disorders. Prevention and early diagnosis of RLS could be a proactive healthcare management leading to better health outcomes and better conditions of pregnancy, which precedes childbirth.

  • A Case Report of Grave's Disease Presenting With an Episode of Restless Legs Syndrome
    by Kazuki Miyaue on May 2, 2024

    This case report explores a rare presentation of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a 59-year-old female with a history of Graves' disease (GD), highlighting the diagnostic challenges and the importance of considering thyroid dysfunctions in RLS. The patient, previously diagnosed and treated for GD, presented with acute nocturnal discomfort in her lower limbs, along with symptoms of fatigue, weight loss, and palpitations. Physical examinations and thyroid function tests indicated a recurrence of...

  • Sleep and Autism: Current Research, Clinical Assessment, and Treatment Strategies
    by Annette Estes on April 29, 2024

    Autism spectrum disorder is associated with a high rate of sleep problems, affecting over 80% of autistic individuals. Sleep problems have pervasive negative effects on health, behavior, mood, and cognition but are underrecognized in autistic children. Problems initiating and maintaining sleep-hallmarks of insomnia-are common. Sleep-disordered breathing and restless legs syndrome have also been described in autism at a higher prevalence than in community populations. The authors describe current...

  • Longitudinal Cognitive Trajectories in Older Adults with Restless Legs Syndrome or Willis-Ekbom Disease
    by Ioannis Liampas on April 27, 2024

    Background: Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) has occasionally but not consistently been associated with cognitive and most notably language and executive impairment. The present study was conducted to investigate the cognitive trajectories of older individuals with RLS/WED. Methods: Participants were drawn from the randomly selected, older (>64 years), population-based HELIAD cohort. Individuals without dementia and with available neuropsychological evaluations at baseline...