Affected individuals complain of restlessness, feeling of unpleasant sensation in their legs and calf muscles. Restless legs syndrome presents with the following signs and symptoms:

• Pain
• Itching
• Burning
• Gnawing
• Pulling
• Tugging
• Creeping 
• Crawling
• Periodic leg movement of sleep (PLMS) [6]
• Sleeping cycle disorders [7]

• Pain

  Leg pain and discomfort are common complaints in any primary physician’s clinic. Two common causes of pain or discomfort in legs are nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). [doi.org]

  Although the neurobiological mechanism in the development of pain remains unclear, a range of non-dopaminergic structures likely mediated pain processing in DLB in the present case based on neuropharmacological results. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Severe RLS may cause painful feelings. However, the pain usually is more of an ache than a sharp, stabbing pain. Children may describe RLS symptoms differently than adults. In children, the condition may occur with hyperactivity. [web.archive.org]

• Fatigue

  Specific questionnaires were used in order to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), fatigue levels, sleep quality, daily sleepiness, and depression symptoms of the patients. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  If you have RLS, it is probably contributing to your MS-related fatigue by causing you to lose sleep. This is called secondary fatigue, as the tiredness is a result of symptoms or insomnia. [verywellhealth.com]

  These disruptive symptoms vary in severity and can result in difficulty staying or falling asleep, fatigue, and impaired daytime function resulting from loss of sleep. [books.google.de]

  Some exercises like ankle pumps and bridges help work the muscles to fatigued them out. This should help calm them down as well. [youtube.com]

  Pain can make sleeping difficult, and fatigue from a poor night’s sleep can exacerbate pain. The cycle repeats over and over, resulting in ever-worsening pain and fatigue. However, this cycle works the other way, too. [paindoctor.com]

• Nocturnal Leg Cramp

  Leg pain and discomfort are common complaints in any primary physician’s clinic. Two common causes of pain or discomfort in legs are nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). [doi.org]

  Leg pain and discomfort are common complaints in any primary physician's clinic. Two common causes of pain or discomfort in legs are nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] treatment or prevention of nocturnal leg cramps outweigh any potential benefits. [web.archive.org]

  Restless Legs Syndrome: an irresistible urge to move legs, usually as it gets closer to bedtime or with periods of inactivity. Restless legs syndrome is different from kicking at night, periodic limb movements, and nocturnal leg cramps. [sleepphones.com]

  Nocturnal leg cramps. Usually these are unilateral and require stretching of the muscle to ease the pain, rather than nonspecific movements. Parkinsonism. Venous insufficiency. Oedema or venous stasis. [patient.info]

• Nocturnal Awakening

  As a result, they have difficulty falling asleep, repeated nocturnal awakenings, or both. Symptoms may be worsened by stress. [merckmanuals.com]

  Association of EDS, frequent nocturnal awakening, morning headache and transient memory or concentration disturbances (TMCD) with OSAS OR a 95% CI a P EDS No 1 b Yes 2.43 1.26–4.69 0.007 Frequent nocturnal awakening No 1 b Yes 1.61 1.01–2.72 0.04 Morning [doi.org]

• Restless Legs Syndrome

  Validation of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale for restless legs syndrome. Sleep Med. 4, 121–132 (2003). 19. Trenkwalder, C. et al. [doi.org]

  "RLS mimics"), proper diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome usually fails. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Leg Cramp

  Leg pain and discomfort are common complaints in any primary physician’s clinic. Two common causes of pain or discomfort in legs are nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). [doi.org]

  Leg pain and discomfort are common complaints in any primary physician's clinic. Two common causes of pain or discomfort in legs are nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  The unpleasant feelings from RLS aren't the same as the leg cramps many people get at night. Leg cramps often are limited to certain muscle groups in the leg, which you can feel tightening. [web.archive.org]

• Insomnia

  Herein, we describe 7 patients with isolated insomnia in whom insomnia responded to low dose levo-dopa. Six of them had a family history of RLS. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Akathisia

  Due to the clinical commonalities of akathisia and RLS, we investigated the behavior of LLFR in patients with akathisia aiming to understand pathophysiology of akathisia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Greater awareness of potential causes of RLS, and its differentiation from akathisia and illness related agitation might help in reducing the distress associated with it and improving patient compliance in patients using atypical antipsychotic agents. [doi.org]

• Somnolence

  Placebo comparisons showed a significantly higher incidence of nausea for pramipexole (p<0.01), whereas nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and somnolence were significantly higher for ropinirole (all p<0.01). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Dizziness and somnolence are the most common adverse effects. However, use of this drug to treat RLS has not been extensively studied. [merckmanuals.com]

• Myoclonus

  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article provides an update on six sleep-related movement disorders: restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement disorder, sleep-related leg cramps, bruxism, rhythmic movement disorder, and propriospinal myoclonus, with [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Heiman EM, Christie M (1986) Lithium-aggravated nocturnal myoclonus and restless legs syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 143: 1191–1192 PubMed Google Scholar 34. [doi.org]

  They also are called (nocturnal) myoclonus, which describes frequent or involuntary muscle spasms. Periodic limb movement was formally described first in the 1950s, and, by the 1970s, it was listed as a potential cause of insomnia. [healthcommunities.com]

  Restless legs syndrome differs from nocturnal myoclonus syndrome in that in the latter condition the individual does not report adverse sensory stimuli and it is primarily a sleep-associated movement disorder. [icd9data.com]

  Reports of patients with myoclonus follow, however, myoclonus appears to be treatment-resistant on both aggressive immunosuppression and GFD. [dx.doi.org]

• Agitation

  Greater awareness of potential causes of RLS, and its differentiation from akathisia and illness related agitation might help in reducing the distress associated with it and improving patient compliance in patients using atypical antipsychotic agents. [doi.org]

  These might include dizziness, visual disturbances, agitation, seizures, mental clouding, depression, euphoria and other reactions. [consumerreports.org]

  Stress often plays a role in agitating RLS, so any treatments that help reduce stress can help alleviate your symptoms. Relaxation techniques, such as breathing and meditation, can help reduce your stress level. [healthline.com]

  Restless Leg Syndrome and Anxiety Anxiety, agitation, and stress can also trigger restless legs at night. Mood disorders can occur due to sleep deprivation, which can strongly resemble or even cause anxiety. [vivehealth.com]

Diagnosis of restless legs syndrome primarily begins with a detailed history of sleep pattern of the affected individuals. In addition, individuals with such a syndrome must meet the following criteria given by International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group:

• Individuals have a very strong desire to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. The sensations that cause compulsive movement of the legs include tingling, itching, gnawing, creeping and crawling.
• The symptoms tend to worsen when the individual is either taking rest or sitting; in other words when the legs are in resting position, the symptoms get severe.
• Symptoms generally are relieved by carrying out activities such as walking, moving or stretching.

In addition, to the above mentioned criteria, certain blood tests like ferritin levels may also be carried out to rule out organic other causes [8]. Nerve conduction and electromyographic studies may prove to be useful even with a normal neurologic exam [9].

Treating underlying conditions can in majority of the cases correct the condition. However, when restless legs syndrome presents as a sole problem then the treatment regime involves medications along with changes in lifestyle factors. For mild symptoms the doctors may advice some light exercises clubbed with massage and certain relaxation techniques. These methods in a great way help effectively manage the mild symptoms of RLS.

In case of severe symptoms, medications are prescribed to help individuals sleep comfortably and manage other symptoms. The commonly prescribed medications include ropinirole, gabapentin, opioids and clonazepam [10].

If left untreated, RLS can lead to severe mental and physical exhaustion. Numerous people with this condition describe serious consequences in their daily lives, including job difficulties, relationship problems, and a lack of mental acuity. Additionally, others have reported difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and an inability to perform simple activities of daily living. Untreated RLS may also cause problems while traveling and can result in depression.

Complications

Restless legs syndrome seldom causes any serious life threatening conditions. However, the symptoms often get severe during the night hours making life miserable for the affected individuals. Many individuals complain of sleep disturbances during night time, which in turn causes drowsiness during the day. But, development of nausea during the day often prevents the individuals from taking a short nap.

Sleep disturbance also gravely affects the concentration of the individuals and when experienced for long periods, can cause psychiatric disturbances as well.

In many situations, the cause of RLS is unidentified. There may be a genetic basis for it, however, since it is often noted to run in families when the symptoms are first noted before age 40. Research has also shown that a cerebral iron deficiency may have in influence on RLS [2]. Additionally, there is substantial support from scientific studies that seems to indicate a connection between dysfunction in the brain’s basal ganglia circuits and RLS. Interference in these neural conduits often leads to uncontrolled movements.

Research has shown that patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, which is also characterized by dysfunction in the basal ganglia, frequently have restless legs syndrome. Although scientists do not know conclusively if these components actually cause RLS, there appears to be a definite connection between these issues and RLS: Chronic diseases such as peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, and renal failure, the use of certain antipsychotic, antidepressant, antihistamine, and anti-nausea medications or being in the last trimester of pregnancy. Lack of restorative sleep and alcohol use may also cause RLS symptoms in some patients.

Restless legs syndrome is a rather common disorder, approximately one in ten people suffer from restless legs syndrome. Various studies regarding the prevalence of RLS in women versus men have been inconclusive.

About 25-30% of individuals with anemia, renal failure, or late-stage pregnancy that exhibit some form of impairment of iron hemostasis are likely to develop restless legs syndrome [3]. Patients who are pregnant or have renal failure may not necessarily also have anemia. The diminished state of serotonin ferritin transporters in the brainstem may give rise to RLS [4].

However, intravenous and oral iron therapy may significantly relieve RLS symptoms in many of these individuals, whether there is substantiated anemia or not. Anemia, particularly cerebrospinal anemia, has been assumed a substantially causal factor in RLS symptoms for over half a century. Although the exact pathogenesis of the disorder remains elusive till this date [5].

The exact etiology behind the development of RLS is not very well understood and therefore, no guidelines have been postulated to prevent the development of such a syndrome. Researchers however state that making certain lifestyle changes can in a great way help manage the symptoms effectively.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition described as aching, crawling, cramping, or other unpleasant feelings in the lower extremities frequently accompanied by an overpowering compulsion to move one’s legs [1]. These symptomsare usually more prominent when someone is resting and may become more severe at night. As reported by patients, paresthesia and/or dysesthesia may range in severity from slightly unpleasant to extremely agonizing.

Definition

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder is characterized by development of unpleasant sensations in the legs and calf muscles. The sensations include feeling of creeping, tingling, tugging and pain. These symptoms are known to get worse when the legs are in resting position. Also, the condition gets severe during the night hours disrupting the sleep of the affected individuals.

Cause

The exact cause behind the development of RLS is not yet known. However, the RLS can accompany certain disease conditions such as anemia, Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy and other chronic disease conditions.

Symptoms

Symptoms of RLS include creeping, gnawing, crawling, tugging, tingling and pain in the legs and calf muscles. The symptoms tend to get severe during the night hours when the individual is at rest.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of RLS comprises of gathering a detailed history of the symptoms experienced by the patient. In addition, information about the sleep pattern is also gathered. Blood tests are done to rule out underlying conditions. 

Treatment

Treatment of RLS is geared towards making certain life style changes to cope with the mild symptoms. Severe forms of symptoms are managed with medications and lifestyle changes.

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