Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them for relief. Individuals affected with the disorder describe the sensations as burning, creeping, tugging, or like insects crawling inside the legs. The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful.
For those with mild to moderate symptoms, many physicians suggest certain lifestyle changes and activities to reduce or eliminate
symptoms. Decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may provide some relief. Physicians may suggest that certain individuals
take supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium. Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs, or using a
heating pad or ice pack can help relieve symptoms in some patients.
Physicians also may suggest a variety of medications to treat RLS, including dopaminergics, benzodiazepines (central nervous
system depressants), opioids, and anticonvulsants. In 2005, ropinirole became the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS.
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation 1610 14th St NW Rochester, MN 55901-0229 Suite 300 Rochester, MN 55902-2985 rlsfoundation@rls.org http://www.rls.org Tel: 507-287-6465 Fax: 507-287-6312 |
National Sleep Foundation 1522 K Street NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 nsf@sleepfoundation.org http://www.sleepfoundation.org Tel: 202-347-3472 Fax: 202-347-3472 |
WE MOVE (Worldwide Education & Awareness for Movement Disorders) 204 West 84th Street New York, NY 10024 wemove@wemove.org http://www.wemove.org Tel: 212-875-8312 Fax: 212-875-8389 |
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue) Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291 |
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Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
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Last updated December 11, 2007