Restless Leg Syndrome: Shake Your Leg or Legs Relentlessly? Heres What it May be and What to Do

Restless Leg Syndrome: Shake Your Leg or Legs Relentlessly? Heres What it May be and What to Do

Ten percent of Americans suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), an under-diagnosed neurological disorder that causes creepy-crawly, tingling, aching, burning sensations in the calves, thighs, feet and even arms. The only thing that seems to relieve these uncomfortable, yet sometimes indescribable, sensations is to shake the limb and move around.

RLS is different from simply wanting to shake your leg a lot while sitting. In order to be officially diagnosed, you must have all of the following, says the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation:

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  A strong, sometimes irresistible, urge to move your legs. The need to move is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations that have been described as creeping, itching, pulling, creepy-crawly, tugging or gnawing.
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  The symptoms start or become worse when you are resting. The longer you rest, the greater the chance the symptoms will occur, and the more severe they will typically be.
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  Moving your legs causes the symptoms to get better. Relief may be complete or partial, but it generally starts soon after movement begins and lasts as long as the activity continues.
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  The symptoms are generally worse in the evening, particularly when lying down. Activities that bother you at night do not bother you during the day.

From Mildly Annoying to Debilitating

RLS can begin at any age, though it typically starts in adolescence. Most do not seek treatment for the condition, however, until middle-age when related sleep disturbances become severe. RLS is also often misdiagnosed, sometimes as "growing pains."

While some who suffer from RLS may find it does not interfere significantly with their lives, others may find it unbearable.

"Restless legs syndrome for many people can be an annoyance and not something they are likely to seek treatment for -- but for others, it can be debilitating," says Raman Malhotra, M.D., clinical lecturer in neurology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Along with the uncomfortable sensations described above, people with RLS may also suffer from:

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  Trouble falling asleep, leading to insomnia and daytime sleepiness
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  Loss of concentration
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  Mood swings
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  Depression
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  Problems with family, work and social relationships

Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS)

According to the Mayo Clinic, more than four out of five people with Restless Leg Syndrome also suffer from a related condition known as periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) (formerly called myoclonus).

People with PLMS involuntarily flex, extend and kick their legs while sleeping. Hundreds of these movements may occur during one night, which is why partners of those with RLS often have trouble sleeping as well.

What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?

The exact cause of primary RLS -- the most common type -- is unknown, but researchers suspect it may be related to an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, which sends out messages to control muscle movement.

RLS can run in families and occurs more often in women than men, says Malhotra. Stress may exacerbate symptoms.

There is also Secondary RLS, which is usually caused by another disease or condition including:

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  Anemia
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  Pregnancy
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  Diabetic neuropathy
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  Certain medications

"Many women who become pregnant suffer from Secondary RLS during their pregnancy and there are other diseases that make people predisposed to it," Malhotra says. "People in an iron-deficient state, such as those who are anemic, often suffer from RLS. Also, people with peripheral neuropathy -- a disorder of the nervous system often described as tingling or numbness in the hands and/or feet due to nerve damage -- and, people with kidney disease, are more likely to have RLS."

Natural Treatments for RLS

While drugs including dopaminergic agents, sedatives, anticonvulsants and pain relievers may be prescribed for serious RLS cases, there are many natural treatments that can be tried out first.

"Luckily, we have many treatments available," says Malhotra. "We usually start out with non-medical treatments by looking at what medications a patient is taking. We look for over-the-counter medications or anti-depressants that have been known to cause RLS symptoms and try to eliminate them. We also look to see if a patient smokes tobacco or drinks alcohol, which can worsen their symptoms."

The following simple methods, from the Mayo Clinic and Malhotra, can help to reduce RLS symptoms:

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  Have good sleep hygiene. This means sleeping in a cool, quiet environment, going to sleep around the same time each night and getting up at the same time in the morning, and sleeping long enough to feel rested. Going to sleep later (and waking later) has helped some people with RLS as well.
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  Try warm baths, stretching and massage. This can help to relax your leg muscles.
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  Use hot and cold packs. When applied alternately, they may help to lessen the sensations in your legs.
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  Relax with yoga or meditation before bed.
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  Exercise. Regular, moderate-intensity exercise may relieve RLS symptoms, but overdoing it or working out too close to bedtime may worsen them.
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  Try wearing long socks to bed.
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  Avoid or cut back on alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. All of these can aggravate or trigger RLS symptoms.
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  Eat a healthy diet.
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  Stay alert in the evening. Being bored or drowsy before bedtime may make RLS symptoms worse.