Is Your Leg Restlessness Ruining Your Life? You Might Have This!

2025-06-12 00:01:01.423

Karla Dzienkowski's daughter's experience highlights restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations like crawling, aching, tingling, or throbbing. RLS significantly impacts sleep quality and daily life. Experts estimate 4% to 29% of adults in Western countries have RLS, yet many go undiagnosed and untreated. Dr. John Winkelman, chief of the sleep disorders clinical research program at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains that RLS symptoms worsen at rest, especially at night. Dr. Brian Koo, associate professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine, adds that in severe cases, sleep can be delayed for hours. Genetics and iron levels are key factors in RLS development. It often runs in families, and iron deficiency increases the risk, affecting pregnant individuals, those on dialysis, menstruating women, people with anemia, and vegetarians. Those on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants may also be vulnerable. Women are twice as likely to have RLS as men, and prevalence increases with age. Treatment begins with addressing potential triggers like alcohol, certain medications, and simple sugars. Iron supplementation is crucial if levels are low. Lifestyle changes, including hot/cold packs, massage, walks, and engaging mental activities, can help manage symptoms. Medications like alpha2-delta ligands (gabapentin or pregabalin) are used when lifestyle changes and iron supplementation are insufficient. Dopamine agonists are less frequently prescribed due to potential worsening of RLS over time. Severe cases may require low-dose, long-acting opioid medications. If you experience discomfort that compels leg movement, particularly disrupting sleep, consult a doctor. A referral to a sleep specialist might be beneficial, along with iron panel blood tests. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent RLS from negatively impacting daily life.