Restless legs syndrome
Symptoms of restless legs syndrome include:
- a strong need to move your legs
- uncomfortable feelings in your legs, such as tingling, throbbing or itching
- pain in your legs
Symptoms are usually worse at night when resting and can affect your sleep.
Some people also have symptoms in other parts of the body, such as the arms.
Some conditions can cause similar symptoms to restless legs syndrome, including leg cramps and peripheral neuropathy.
There are things you can do to reduce the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, including making changes to improve your sleep.
Do
exercise during the day
try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or ear plugs if needed
try having a warm bath or using heat pads on your legs before you go to bed
try walking, stretching or massaging your legs when you’re having symptoms
try doing things to distract yourself from your symptoms, such as reading or doing a game or puzzle
Don't
do not have caffeine, such as tea, coffee or energy drinks, after midday
do not drink alcohol for at least 2 hours before going to bed
do not eat a big meal or do strenuous exercise late at night
do not use electronic devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed
do not nap during the day
Find out more
See a GP if:
You have symptoms of restless legs syndrome and:
- it’s stopping you sleep
- it's affecting your mental health
- you’ve tried things you can do yourself but they have not helped
Restless legs syndrome is thought to be linked to the levels of iron and the brain chemical dopamine in your body.
There’s usually no clear cause for restless legs syndrome, but you’re more likely to get it if someone in your family also has it.
It can also be linked to other things, such as:
- pregnancy (symptoms usually go away after giving birth)
- iron deficiency anaemia
- kidney disease
- some medicines
Treatment for restless legs syndrome depends on what’s causing it.
If another condition is causing restless legs syndrome, treating that may help. For example, you may need iron supplements if you have low levels of iron in your blood.
Your doctor might check what other medicines you’ve been taking, as some medicines can make symptoms of restless legs syndrome worse.
You may also be prescribed another medicine including:
- pregabalin or gabapentin
- painkillers such as codeine or tramadol
- medicines to help with sleep problems
- medicines to increase dopamine levels, such as co-careldopa or ropinirole, for occasional use or if other medicines have not worked
If your symptoms get worse or do not improve, you may be referred to a specialist for more tests and treatment.
Restless legs syndrome can be hard to live with. If it's affecting your mental health, treatments such as talking therapies may help.
