Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment, Causes, Medication, Symptoms

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) causes symptoms, such as a strong urge to move the legs while in bed trying to sleep. It may also cause burning, tingling, and aching in the legs, and potentially lead to insomnia.Source: Photodisc/Getty Images

Restless leg syndrome definition and facts

Restless leg syndrome is a condition marked by a strong urge to mover the legs along with symptoms of unpleasant sensations in the legs while resting and sleeping, for example, tingling, burning, and aching, while resting. The condition also causes leg pain and cramps.
Symptoms of restless leg syndrome are aching and an urge to move the lower extremities
It is suggested the main cause of restless leg syndrome is a problem using iron or the lack of iron in the brain. Many conditions have been associated with restless leg syndrome because of the iron problem, for example, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, and iron deficiency.
Restless leg syndrome tends to run in families.
Restless leg syndrome frequency leads to insomnia.
Treatment and home remedies for restless leg syndrome include medications and home remedies to manage symptoms and leg pain, increase the amount and quality of sleep, and treat underlying medical conditions.
Home remedies for restless leg syndrome include
- quitting smoking,
- reducing caffeine,
- weight reduction for the overweight,
- walking,
- quinine water, and
- iron supplementation for those that are iron deficient.
Restless leg syndrome is generally not considered curable, but treatments can substantially lessen or eradicate symptoms.
Other conditions that my mimic restless leg syndrome include poor circulation to the lower extremities, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy.

What is restless leg syndrome (RLS)?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS, restless legs syndrome) is a common cause of painful legs. The leg pain of restless leg syndrome typically eases with motion of the legs and becomes more noticeable at rest. Restless leg syndrome also features worsening of symptoms and leg pain during the early evening or later at night.

Restless leg syndrome is often abbreviated RLS; it has also been termed shaking leg syndrome. Nighttime involuntary jerking of the legs during sleep are also known as periodic leg/limb movement disorder.

How Do I Know If I Have Restless Leg Syndrome?

The diagnosis of restless leg syndrome is established on four criteria
established by The National Institutes of Health.

A strong urge to move your legs. This urge often, but not always, occurs with unpleasant feelings in your legs. When the disorder is severe, you also may have the urge to move your arms.
A strong urge to move the legs along with other RLS symptoms
that begin or worsen when inactive, or in the evening and at night.

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An older woman rubbing her aching legs due to restless leg syndrome.Source: Science Photo Library/Getty Images

What are the common signs and symptoms of restless leg syndrome?

Many different symptoms are described by people with restless leg syndrome, for example:

leg pain,
cramps,
tingling,
itchy,
burning, and
aching.

The characteristic nighttime worsening of symptoms in persons with restless legs syndrome frequency leads to insomnia. Because of lack of sleep, children and some adults may be very drowsy, irritable, and aggressive during daytime hours.

Restless leg syndrome usually begins slowly. Over time, the legs become more affected. Less frequently, restless leg syndrome can affect the arms.

Is restless leg syndrome common during pregnancy?

Restless leg syndrome is relatively common during pregnancy, especially in the second half of pregnancy. While most medications used to treat restless leg syndrome have not been adequately studied in pregnant women, the non-medication treatments and techniques described above can be very helpful. Furthermore, avoiding caffeine, warm compresses, massage, and regular exercising according to the doctors' suggestions can be helpful.

An illustration portraying leg pain caused by restless leg syndrome (RLS).Source: Science Photo Library/Getty Images

What causes restless leg syndrome?

The cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown in most people. However, restless leg syndrome has been associated with

pregnancy,
obesity,
smoking,
iron deficiency and anemia,
nerve disease,
polyneuropathy (which can be associated with hypothyroidism, heavy metal toxicity, toxins, and many other conditions),
other hormone diseases such as diabetes, and
kidney failure (which can be associated with vitamin and mineral deficiency).

Some drugs and medications have been associated with restless leg syndrome including:

caffeine,
alcohol,
H2-histamine blockers (such as ranitidine [Zantac] and cimetidine [Tagamet]), and certain antidepressants (such as amitriptyline [Elavil, Endep]).

Occasionally, restless leg syndrome run in families. Recent studies have shown that restless leg syndrome appears to become more common as a person ages. Also, poor venous circulation of the legs (such as with varicose veins) can cause restless leg syndrome.

A pregnant woman suffers from restless leg syndrom in bed.Source: Getty Images

How do you know if you have restless leg syndrome?

The National Institutes of Health says that four criteria must be met for the diagnosis of RLS in a person (adult or child):

A strong urge to move your legs. This urge often, but not always, occurs with unpleasant feelings in your legs. When the disorder is severe, you also may have the urge to move your arms.
Symptoms that start or get worse when you're inactive. The urge to move increases when you're sitting still or lying down and resting.
Relief from moving. Movement, especially walking, helps relieve the unpleasant feelings.
Symptoms that start or get worse in the evening or at night.

What is the treatment for restless leg syndrome? Is there a cure?

Treatment of restless leg syndrome is first directed toward any underlying illness, if known. For example:

Blood testing to reveal underlying iron deficiency anemia may reveal the underlying cause.
If varicose veins are thought to be the cause, then surgery to repair the circulation may be considered.
Reduction or elimination of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol from a person's diet can be very helpful.
Stopping smoking can significantly diminish or prevent symptoms.
Getting better sleep and exercise can help some persons affected by restless legs.
Pregnant women who do not sleep well at night and other people with sleep disorders may develop RLS.

There is no cure for restless leg syndrome; however, the condition usually responds well to home remedies and medications. The outlook is excellent for people with restless leg syndrome as long as it does not weaken or damage the function of the legs.

QUESTION

What kind of disorder is restless leg syndrome (RLS)?
See Answer

An assortment of medication pills.Source: iStock

What medications treat restless leg syndrome and its symptoms?

Medications used to treat restless leg syndrome include:

natural supplements (such as iron),
carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet),
opioids (such as hydrocodone, or tramadol [Ultram] for intermittent symptoms),
carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR, Equetro, Carbatrol),
clonazepam (Klonopin),
diazepam (Valium),
triazolam (Halcion),
temazepam (Restoril),
baclofen (Lioresal)
bromocriptine,
clonidine (Catapres, Catapres-TTS, Jenloga),
gabapentin (Neurontin),
gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant ER),
ropinirole (Requip), and
pramipexole (Mirapex).

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A woman taking a bath to ease her restless leg syndrome pain.Source: Bigstock

6 natural home remedies for restless leg syndrome symptoms

Other treatments that have been helpful for some people with restless leg syndrome include:

Warm/cold baths
Electric nerve stimulation
Oral magnesium
Acupuncture
Natural treatments such as quinine water at bedtime (tonic water)
Anxiety may trigger or increase RLS symptoms according to some researchers. Some people have experienced a decrease in anxiety by using over-the-counter (OTC) products and natural home remedies and naturopathic treatments for anxiety, for example, lavender soap fumes or acupuncture. These natural treatments may reduce symptoms of RLS.

Some of these natural remedies to reduce symptom of restless leg syndrome and may cause side effects. Discuss any problems or side effects you have after using home remedies or alternative treatments for restless leg syndrome with your doctor.

Can other conditions mimic restless leg syndrome?

There are many conditions which can mimic restless leg syndrome including:

Parkinson's disease,
fibromyalgia,
muscle diseases,
joint conditions,
nerve problems such as peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), and
circulation difficulties.

In children, restless leg syndrome is often misdiagnosed as "growing pains."