Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a feeling of discomfort in the legs and sometimes the arms when the person is sitting or lying down. Symptoms include itching, electric shock, pain, tingling, pins and needles, etc. The person feels an uncontrollable urge to move their legs, which can make it difficult to fall asleep. This urge increases in the evening and at night, and the movements may even occur involuntarily during sleep (see “Periodic limb movement disorder” below). In the long term, these constant movements lead to fatigue and drowsiness during the day.
There are two types of RLS. The first type seems to have no known cause and is thought to be related to heredity. The second is believed to be associated with a lack of dopamine in the brain, caused by iron deficiency or a chronic illness such as diabetes, kidney failure and hyperactivity. Pregnancy can also cause or worsen symptoms.
RLS is estimated to affect about 10% of the Canadian population. It can occur at any age, especially after age 50, and particularly in women, who are affected twice as often as men.