Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

What is restless legs syndrome (RLS)?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological sleep disorder. With it, you may feel creeping, crawling, tingling or burning sensations, usually in both legs (but can also affect the arms, chest or head). Your legs may move or twitch when you are sleeping.

Symptoms are most common when you are sitting or lying down and can ease up when you walk or stretch. You may feel a strong urge to move to make the discomfort go away. Movement can help but the symptoms often return when you stop moving.

Who gets restless legs syndrome?

RLS is common and can affect anyone. However, it’s more likely to develop in:

• Women
• People who are white
• Adults over age 40

Children can also have RLS, especially if there’s a family history. In kids, it’s sometimes mistaken for growing pains or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

RLS symptoms can be:

• Mild (occasional discomfort)
• Moderate (a few times a week)
• Severe (multiple times a week or nightly)

Severe RLS can disrupt your sleep, daily routine and quality of life.

What causes restless legs syndrome?

RLS can be linked to several underlying factors:

Genetics

RLS often runs in families, though researchers are still studying how the genetic component works.

Dopamine imbalance

Dopamine is a brain chemical that helps control movement. If your dopamine levels are off, or if your brain has trouble processing dopamine signals, you may develop RLS. Medications that regulate dopamine may help.

Low iron levels

Iron is essential for dopamine production. Conditions like anemia or chronic kidney disease can lead to iron deficiency and increase your risk for RLS.

Other medical conditions

Health issues that may contribute to or worsen RLS include:

• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Kidney failure
• Spinal cord disorders
• Sleep apnea
• Substance use disorder
• Parkinson’s disease

Pregnancy

Some people experience RLS during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. These symptoms usually go away after giving birth.

What are the symptoms of restless legs syndrome?

RLS symptoms can be hard to describe, but they often feel like:

• Crawling or creeping under the skin
• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• Burning, aching or throbbing
• Pulling or jerking sensations

These uncomfortable feelings usually start or worsen when you're resting, especially in the evening or at night. You may feel the urge to move your legs to get relief, but symptoms often return once you stop moving.

RLS symptoms can:

• Make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep
• Interrupt naps or rest during the day
• Be triggered by long periods of sitting (like car rides, flights or movie-watching)

Over time, poor sleep and daily discomfort may cause:

• Daytime fatigue or irritability
• Trouble focusing or remembering things
• Mood changes, including anxiety or depression
• Reduced work or school performance

When to get medical help

It’s a good idea to talk to a provider if RLS is disrupting your life. You should seek help if you:

• Ongoing sensations in your legs that bother you, especially if they happen when you’re resting or inactive.
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because of the discomfort or restlessness in your legs.
• Daytime tiredness, irritability or trouble concentrating because your symptoms disrupt your sleep.
• Symptoms of RLS that get worse over time or fail to improve with self-care.

Get support for restless legs syndrome

If you think you may have RLS, we’re here to help. At Banner Health, our sleep medicine and neurology experts can work with you to diagnose the cause and recommend treatment options that help you feel better and sleep more soundly.