NINDS Restless Legs Syndrome Information Page

Condensed from Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Clinical Trials
Organizations
Additional resources from MedlinePlus

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable, and sometimes overwhelming, urge to move them for relief. Individuals affected with the disorder often describe the sensations as throbbing, polling, or creeping. The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful.

Is there any treatment?

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. The drugs ropinirole and pramipexole have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating moderate to severe RLS.

What is the prognosis?

RLS is generally a life-long condition for which there is no cure. Symptoms may gradually worsen with age. Nevertheless, current therapies can control the disorder, minimizing symptoms and increasing periods of restful sleep. In addition, some individuals have remissions, periods in which symptoms decrease or disappear for days, weeks, or months, although symptoms usually eventually reappear.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct and support RLS research in laboratories at the NIH and at major medical institutions across the country. The goal of this research is to increase scientific understanding of RLS, find improved methods of diagnosing and treating the syndrome, and discover ways to prevent it.

NIH Patient Recruitment for Restless Legs Syndrome Clinical Trials

Organizations

Column1	Column2
Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation 1530 Greenview Drive SW Suite 210 Rochester, MN 55902-4327 rlsfoundation@rls.org http://www.rls.org Tel: 507-287-6465 Fax: 507-287-6312	National Sleep Foundation 1010 N. Glebe Road Suite 310 Arlington, VA 22201 nsf@sleepfoundation.org http://www.sleepfoundation.org Tel: 202-347-3471 Fax: 202-347-3472
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) 55 Kenosia Avenue Danbury, CT 06810 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673) Fax: 203-798-2291	WE MOVE (Worldwide Education & Awareness for Movement Disorders) 5731 Mosholu Avenue Bronx, NY 10024 wemove@wemove.org http://www.wemove.org Tel: 347-843-6132 Fax: 718-601-5112
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) National Institutes of Health, DHHS 31 Center Drive, Rm. 4A21 MSC 2480 Bethesda, MD 20892-2480 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov Tel: 301-592-8573/240-629-3255 (TTY) Recorded Info: 800-575-WELL (-9355)

Related NINDS Publications and Information

Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep
Fact sheet on normal sleep and sleep disorders developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Publicaciones en Español

Síndrome de las Piernas Inquietas

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Last updated November 25, 2011