Restless leg syndrome
Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, causes extreme leg discomfort during sleep or periods of inactivity that can be temporarily relieved by movement.
By disrupting sleep, RLS can have a significant impact on daily life and overall health. While the cause of RLS is uncertain, our sleep specialists can help ease the symptoms by recommending lifestyle or dietary changes or prescribing medication.
What you should know about restless leg syndrome
- RLS affects 10 percent of adults in the United States.
- There are two types of RLS: primary RLS, which is hereditary, and secondary RLS, which researchers believe is caused by underlying medical conditions or the use of certain drugs.
- While there is no specific test to diagnose RLS, keeping a sleep log can help keep track of symptoms. Your log should track when you go to sleep each night, when you wake up, what disturbs you during sleep and how you feel throughout the day. Your doctor may also perform blood tests or other tests to rule out medical conditions that could be causing your leg discomfort.
Treatment options
Our sleep specialists understand that disrupted sleep due to restless leg syndrome can have a significant impact on everyday life and overall health. We treat RLS using:
- Lifestyle or dietary changes
- Medication
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