Overview
Restless legs syndrome causes an overwhelming urge to move the legs, usually with uncomfortable sensations, especially when resting or trying to sleep. Moving the legs brings temporary relief. It can significantly disrupt sleep, but treating the cause and adjusting habits often helps.
Symptoms
- Strong urge to move the legs, often with crawling or tingling feelings
- Symptoms that worsen in the evening or at night
- Relief when walking or stretching
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Daytime tiredness
- Involuntary leg movements during sleep
- Discomfort that returns when sitting still
Causes & risk factors
- Often runs in families
- Iron deficiency
- Pregnancy
- Kidney disease
- Certain medicines that worsen symptoms
- Linked to some chronic conditions such as diabetes
- Often no clear underlying cause
Treatment & self-care
Care, usually starting with a family clinician, focuses on checking for and correcting underlying causes such as low iron, adjusting habits like caffeine and sleep timing, and, when symptoms are severe, considering specific treatments. A clinician will arrange blood tests and personalize the plan.
See a doctor urgently if
- Symptoms regularly disrupt your sleep or daily life
- Symptoms worsen despite lifestyle changes
- You are pregnant and develop these symptoms
- You have known kidney problems or anemia
- New or worsening symptoms after starting a medication