Restless Legs Syndrome Health Video

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while you're sitting or lying down. It makes you feel like getting up and moving around. When you do so, the unpleasant feeling of restless leg syndrome temporarily goes away. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for restless legs syndrome in this health video.

Take Action

See your doctor about pain in your lower legs
Reduce stress
Attempt muscle relaxation

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

SUSAN MCGLADDERY: Hello. My name is Dr. Sue McGladdery. I'm the medical director from FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to talk to you briefly about restless legs syndrome. This is also known as nocturnal myoclonus. It's a sleep disorder that's characterized by leg discomfort during sleep and it occurs most often in the middle age and older adults. The cause is not known although it's worsened by stress. What are the symptoms? People experience sensations in the lower legs that cause discomfort unless the legs are moved. The sensations usually occur shortly after going to bed, but they may also occur during the daytime. The symptoms can last for an hour or longer and are quite unpleasant. The result is often decreased quality of sleep which then leads to fatigue, anxiety, depression, and other problems. How do we diagnose restless legs syndrome? There is no specific examination but it is important to rule out other disorders and a sleep study is sometimes helpful to identify the problem. What about treatments for this condition? There is no known cure for restless legs syndrome and treatment is aimed reducing stress and helping the muscles to relax. Warm baths, gentle stretching exercises, and massage can be helpful and if the symptoms are very disturbing, in that case your doctor may recommend medication for you. Restless legs syndrome is not dangerous or life-threatening and it does not indicate a serious disorder, but it can be uncomfortable and distressing and disrupts sleep. You can try muscle relaxation and stress reduction techniques at home, but if you're having symptoms of restless legs syndrome and your sleep is persistently disturbed, in that case you should call your doctor.