Why restless leg syndrome

More often than not, the cause of RLS is a mystery. There may be a genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger. More than 40 percent of people with RLS have some family history of the condition. In fact, there are five gene variants associated with RLS.

When it runs in the family, symptoms usually start before age There may be a connection between RLS and low levels of iron in the brain, even when blood tests show that your iron level is normal. RLS may be linked to a disruption in the dopamine pathways in the brain. Some of the same medications are used to treat both conditions. Research on these and other theories is ongoing. Other potential causes include medications to treat:. But RLS can actually be an offshoot of another health problem, like neuropathy, diabetes, or kidney failure.

Learn more about the causes of restless leg syndrome ». There are certain things that may put you in a higher risk category for RLS. Having RLS can affect your overall health and quality of life.

If you have RLS and chronic sleep deprivation, you may be a higher risk of:. A large part of the diagnosis will be based on your description of symptoms. Your doctor will want to check for other neurological reasons for your symptoms.

Be sure to provide information about any over-the-counter and prescription medications and supplements you take. And tell your doctor if you have any known chronic health conditions. Blood tests will check for iron and other deficiencies or abnormalities. Home remedies, while unlikely to completely eliminate symptoms, may help reduce them. It may take some trial and error to find the remedies that are most helpful. When scheduling things that require prolonged sitting, such as a car or plane trip, try to arrange them for earlier in the day rather than later.

If you have an iron or other nutritional deficiency, ask your doctor or nutritionist how to improve your diet. Talk to your doctor before adding dietary supplements. Learn more about home remedies for restless leg syndrome ». Side effects may include mild lightheadedness and nausea. These medications can become less effective over time. In some people, they can cause daytime sleepiness impulse control disorders, and worsening of RLS symptoms. Side effects may include dizziness and nausea.

You should not use these products if you have sleep apnea. These medicines are powerful and addicting. It may take several attempts before you find the right medication. Your doctor will adjust the medication and dosage as your symptoms change. Learn about over-the-counter medications for restless leg syndrome ». Children can experience the same tingling and pulling sensations in their legs as adults with RLS. But they may have a hard time describing it. In addition, medications taken regularly may lose their effect over time or even make the condition worse, making it necessary to change medications.

Lifestyle changes. Certain lifestyle changes and activities may provide some relief in persons with mild to moderate symptoms of RLS. These steps include avoiding or decreasing the use of alcohol and tobacco, changing or maintaining a regular sleep pattern, a program of moderate exercise, and massaging the legs, taking a warm bath, or using a heating pad or ice pack. There are new medical devices that have been cleared by the U. Aerobic and leg-stretching exercises of moderate intensity also may provide some relief from mild symptoms.

For individuals with low or low-normal blood tests called ferritin and transferrin saturation, a trial of iron supplements is recommended as the first treatment. Iron supplements are available over-the-counter. A common side effect is upset stomach, which may improve with use of a different type of iron supplement. Because iron is not well-absorbed into the body by the gut, it may cause constipation that can be treated with a stool softeners such as polyethylene glycol.

Others may require iron given through an IV line in order to boost the iron levels and relieve symptoms. Anti-seizure drugs. Anti-seizure drugs are becoming the first-line prescription drugs for those with RLS. The FDA has approved gabapentin enacarbil for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS, This drug appears to be as effective as dopaminergic treatment discussed below and, at least to date, there have been no reports of problems with a progressive worsening of symptoms due to medication called augmentation.

Other anti-seizure drugs such as the standard form of gabapentin and pregabalin can decrease such sensory disturbances as creeping and crawling as well as nerve pain. Dizziness, fatigue, and sleepiness are among the possible side effects.

Recent studies have shown that pregabalin is as effective for RLS treatment as the dopaminergic drug pramipexole, suggesting this class of drug offers equivalent benefits. Dopaminergic agents. These drugs, which increase dopamine effect, are largely used to treat Parkinson's disease. They have been shown to reduce symptoms of RLS when they are taken at nighttime. These drugs are generally well tolerated but can cause nausea, dizziness, or other short-term side effects.

Levodopa plus carbidopa may be effective when used intermittently, but not daily. Although dopamine-related medications are effective in managing RLS symptoms, long-term use can lead to worsening of the symptoms in many individuals.

With chronic use, a person may begin to experience symptoms earlier in the evening or even earlier until the symptoms are present around the clock.

Over time, the initial evening or bedtime dose can become less effective, the symptoms at night become more intense, and symptoms could begin to affect the arms or trunk.

Fortunately, this apparent progression can be reversed by removing the person from all dopamine-related medications. Another important adverse effect of dopamine medications that occurs in some people is the development of impulsive or obsessive behaviors such as obsessive gambling or shopping.

Should they occur, these behaviors can be improved or reversed by stopping the medication. In some cases, restless legs syndrome is caused by an underlying health condition, such as iron deficiency anaemia or kidney failure. This is known as secondary restless legs syndrome. There's also a link between restless legs syndrome and pregnancy. About 1 in 5 pregnant women will experience symptoms in the last 3 months of their pregnancy, although it's not clear exactly why this is.

In such cases, restless legs syndrome usually disappears after the woman has given birth. Find out more about the causes of restless legs syndrome. Mild cases of restless legs syndrome that are not linked to an underlying health condition may not require any treatment, other than making a few lifestyle changes.

If your symptoms are more severe, you may need medication to regulate the levels of dopamine and iron in your body. If restless legs syndrome is caused by iron deficiency anaemia, iron supplements may be all that's needed to treat the symptoms.

Restless legs syndrome can sometimes occur as a complication of another health condition, or it can be the result of another health-related factor.

There are a number of triggers that don't cause restless legs syndrome, but can make symptoms worse. Page last reviewed: 06 August Next review due: 06 August In many cases, the exact cause of restless legs syndrome is unknown.