Restless legs syndrome, also called RLS, is a medical condition characterized by unpleasant sensations in your legs that occur during periods of inactivity. You can develop RLS at any age, and symptoms of the disorder tend to get worse over time. You are most likely to experience RLS-related symptoms while lying down or sitting in a chair.
RLS Basics
RLS may ultimately result from imbalances in your brain's supply of dopamine, a chemical that helps control muscle movements throughout your body, according to MayoClinic.com. In as many as 50 percent of affected individuals, the condition appears to have a strong genetic component. However, in many cases, doctors can find no specific cause for symptom onset. Some women develop RLS during pregnancy, while other women who already have RLS may experience worsening symptoms while pregnant. In some circumstances, you may develop RLS in association with kidney failure, iron deficiencies or a form of nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy.
RLS Symptoms
The main symptom of RLS is a strong urge to move your legs, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. In the majority of cases, this urge is accompanied by deep, unpleasant sensations, such as burning, itching, tingling, creeping, crawling and aching. Severe cases of RLS may also involve a diffuse, aching pain. While these symptoms most commonly occur in the calves, they may also appear in your thighs, feet or arms. Typically, the effects of RLS worsen at night or during periods of inactivity and can be relieved by increasing leg movement.
Sitting
RLS commonly occurs in individuals trying to sleep, the NHLBI reports. If you have mild RLS, you may only notice your symptoms when you sit in a chair for an extended period of time, as you would while watching television or flying in an airplane. You may also experience symptoms if you take a long car trip, sit in a movie theater, partake in relaxation exercises or are immobilized by a cast, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. If you have RLS, your symptoms may vary in both severity and frequency over time. RLS associated with sitting does not necessarily trigger sleep disturbances.
Relieving Symptoms
If you have RLS, you can potentially relieve your symptoms with actions such as stretching or massaging your affected limb, applying heat or cold packs and walking, the NHLBI explains. You can also relieve your symptoms by taking a cold or hot bath or performing mental tasks that pull your attention away from your affected limbs. If you are sitting in a chair in a movie theater or on a train or airplane, accommodate your need for movement by sitting on an aisle whenever possible.
Considerations
RLS is typically a lifelong condition, the NINDS reports. While some people have periods of remission, symptoms generally reappear at a later time. If you require medication to reduce your RLS symptoms, potential options include anticonvulsants, opioids, benzodiazepines and dopaminergic agents, which boost your brain's dopamine levels. Consult your doctor for more information on RLS.
