• What is RLS?
• What are the causes of RLS?
• RLS Treatment
• Do you have RLS?
• Research

What are the causes of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

In many patients, there is a strong family history; therefore genetic factors may play a role. For other RLS sufferers, there is no family history and no clear precipitating cause. For possibly 25% of patients, there may be an associated medical condition that can either aggravate or cause the symptoms. Patients with damage to the nerves in their hands and feet, which is called peripheral neuropathy, may have a higher incidence of this disorder than the general population. Peripheral neuropathy may be seen with conditions such as diabetes. Patients may present more with pain, pins-and-needles, and numbness in their feet that is associated with the uncomfortable sensations of Restless Legs Syndrome.

Patients on dialysis because of kidney failure often have a high incidence of Restless Legs Syndrome. Patients with iron deficiency, whether that is during pregnancy or at other times, appear to be at a higher risk of developing Restless Legs Syndrome. In the situation where iron deficiency is identified, treating the iron deficiency often brings about dramatic, if not complete, improvement of the symptoms.

There are certain medications that may aggravate or precipitate Restless Legs Syndrome. The anti-histamines used in over-the-counter, nighttime sleeping pills, or in cold remedies and decongestants, will aggravate Restless Legs Syndrome. Alcohol, even at low doses, may aggravate this condition. Medications that are used to prevent or treat nausea may cause RLS symptoms in patients who have otherwise never had the symptoms before.

The symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome may prevent an individual from falling asleep or staying asleep. Whether it is a loss of the quality or quantity of sleep, the consequences are essentially the same: daytime tiredness, fatigue, increasing irritability, inability to deal with stress, depression, difficulty with concentration and poor memory.

Quality of life issues are markedly effected independent of the sleep issues. There are many individuals who would enjoy going to a movie, the opera, the theater or even sitting down to read a good book at night. These activities are nearly impossible. Long trips in the car or on a plane are often agonizing experiences for most RLS suffers.