Also called: Also called: RLS
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes a powerful urge to move your legs. Your legs become uncomfortable when you are lying down or sitting. Some people describe it as a creeping, crawling, tingling or burning sensation. Moving makes your legs feel better, but not for long.
In most cases, there is no known cause for RLS. In other cases, RLS is caused by a disease or condition, such as anemia or pregnancy. Some medicines can also cause temporary RLS. Caffeine, tobacco and alcohol may make symptoms worse.
Lifestyle changes, such as regular sleep habits, relaxation techniques and moderate exercise during the day can help. If those don't work, medicines may reduce the symptoms of RLS.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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Restless Legs Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/seniors/common-older/868.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/seniors/common-older/868.printerview.html
- Restless Legs Syndrome(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/rls/rls_WhatIs.html
- Restless Legs Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/restless_legs.htm
- Restless Leg Syndrome(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/restless-legs-syndrome/DS00191/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Restless Legs Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/trastornos/piernas_inquietas.htm
- Restless Legs Syndrome: Frequently Asked Questions(Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation) - http://www.rls.org/Page.aspx?&pid=543&srcid=509
- Common Drug Eases Restless Legs Syndrome(04/29/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83568.html
- Pot Belly Boosts Risk for Restless Legs Syndrome(04/06/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82574.html
- Estrogen Tied to Restless Legs During Pregnancy(02/13/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_80363.html
- Diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome(We Move) - http://www.wemove.org/rls/rls_dor.html
- Medications to Treat Restless Legs Syndrome(We Move) - http://www.wemove.org/rls/rls_mtr.html
- Lifestyle Changes and Activities(We Move) - http://www.wemove.org/rls/rls_lca.html
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder and Restless Legs Syndrome(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec06/ch081/ch081f.html
- What Causes Restless Legs Syndrome?(We Move) - http://www.wemove.org/rls/rls_cor.html
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Restless Legs Syndrome(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Restless+Legs+Syndrome%22
- Article: Obesity and restless legs syndrome in men and women. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19349606&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Refractory restless legs syndrome likely caused by olanzapine. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19317385&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Effect of ropinirole on sleep outcomes in patients with restless... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19249945&tool=MedlinePlus
- Restless Legs -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=restless+legs+syndrome[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Glossary of Terms(We Move) - http://www.wemove.org/glossary/
- Find a Sleep Professional(National Sleep Foundation) - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/site/c.huIXKjM0IxF/b.2480283/k.6F19/Find_a_Sleep_Professional.htm
- Healthcare Provider Directory(Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation) - http://www.rls.org/Page.aspx?&pid=482&srcid=471
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/
- National Sleep Foundation - http://www.sleepfoundation.org/
- Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation - http://www.rls.org/
- We Move - http://www.wemove.org/
- Drug Treatment During Pregnancy(We Move) - http://www.wemove.org/rls/rls_dtp.html
- Leg Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/leginjuriesanddisorders.html
- Movement Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/movementdisorders.html
- Sleep Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html
- Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Restless Legs is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/