What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a condition characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs. Typical symptoms include leg twitching with heightened sensations during rest (crawling, creeping, throbbing, aching, and itching). Because symptoms commonly occur during sleeping hours, RLS is classified as both a neurosensory and a sleeping disorder.
Prevalence
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) afflicts 1 in every 10 adults of the US population, rivaling the prevalence of diabetes, arthritis, depression, and osteoporosis.
Current Treatments
The most common form of treatment is pharmaceuticals. While proven to be effective for many patients, there are complications with dependency, side effects, and efficacy over time. We hope this site can help patients find alternatives to pharmaceuticals while still achieving symptom relief.
Cause
The exact cause of RLS is still unknown. Some causes tied to RLS symptoms include chronic diseases, medications, lifestyle (lack of sleep, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine), and genes - nearly half of RLS cases have a family member with the condition. The fact that the cause of RLS is not certain explains why there are limited treatment options and no true cure.
Demographics
Primary RLS is the most common form but RLS also occurs as a secondary disorder where symptoms are caused by another condition. It affects all ages and genders but is more common in women and likelihood increases with age.