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

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE.

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.

Restless head syndrome: A retrospective study
by Sanjay Prakash on March 21, 2025
CONCLUSION: If RLS-related unpleasant sensations and pain are felt in the head, they may be misinterpreted as headache, dizziness, or psychosomatic symptoms. RLS and headaches in a subset of patients may be two phenotypic manifestations of the same disorder.
Association of Sleep Disruption With Daytime Sleepiness in Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome
by Sofiene Chenini on March 20, 2025
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) often complain of nighttime hyperarousal which can be severe. Whether nocturnal hyperarousal is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) remains understudied. This study aimed to compare the frequencies of self-reported and objective EDS between patients with RLS and controls, and to identify factors associated with EDS.
Clinical features, plasma neurotransmitter levels and plasma neurohormone levels among patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease with sleep disorders
by Cui-Hong Ma on March 19, 2025
CONCLUSION: Combined sleep disturbances are common in early-stage PD. Dysautonomia is closely related to various sleep disorders, including RBD, EDS, and insomnia. Changes in peripheral neurotransmitter and neurohormone levels may be involved in the development of sleep disorders.
Association of restless legs syndrome and obesity: A sub-population of the MASHAD cohort study
by Azam Vafaei on March 19, 2025
CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between BMI and RLS. A BMI>30 kg/m² increased the odds of RLS by 1.50 times in the study population.