Restless Leg Syndrome Quiz
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Reviewed By:
Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)
Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
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Leg discomfort at night
Uncontrollable urge to move my legs
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What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. RLS typically occurs while sitting or lying down. The exact cause is unknown but may be related to a chemical (dopamine) imbalance in the brain. RLS can begin at any age and generally is more common in older people. It can disrupt sleep, interfering with daily activities. Risk factors include low iron, abnormal kidney function, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord problems.
Typical Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
Moving legs relieves the unpleasant feeling when legs are still
Fatigue that is worst in the morning
Stressed over daily life
Difficulty sleeping due to uncomfortable sensation in my legs
Symptoms improve after period
Trembling of fingers or whole body
Uncontrollable movements
Knees often bend and straighten when sleeping
Doctor's Diagnostic Questionson Restless Leg Syndrome
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
Does moving legs relieve the uncomfortable feeling of still legs?
Do you feel more tired in the morning?
Do you feel stressed or unhappy about going to work or school?
Are your legs restless and affecting your sleep?
Do your PMS symptoms improve once your period starts?
Treatmentof Restless Leg Syndrome
Medications such as gabapentin or pramipexole can lessen symptoms. Lifestyle changes like avoiding caffeine, engaging in regular exercise, quitting tobacco, and pursuing self-care (massages, warm baths, breathing exercises, etc.) can also help.
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Restless Leg Syndrome
View the symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
Diseases related to Restless Leg Syndrome
References
Yeh P, Walters AS, Tsuang JW. Restless legs syndrome: a comprehensive overview on its epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment. Sleep Breath. 2012 Dec;16(4):987-1007. doi: 10.1007/s11325-011-0606-x. Epub 2011 Oct 26. PMID: 22038683.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11325-011-0606-x
Ondo W, Jankovic J. Restless legs syndrome: clinicoetiologic correlates. Neurology. 1996 Dec;47(6):1435-41. doi: 10.1212/wnl.47.6.1435. PMID: 8960723.
https://n.neurology.org/content/47/6/1435
Aul EA, Davis BJ, Rodnitzky RL. The importance of formal serum iron studies in the assessment of restless legs syndrome. Neurology. 1998 Sep;51(3):912. doi: 10.1212/wnl.51.3.912. PMID: 9748060.
https://n.neurology.org/content/51/3/912.1
Safarpour Y, Vaziri ND, Jabbari B. Restless Legs Syndrome in Chronic Kidney Disease- a Systematic Review. Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y). 2023 Mar 29;13:10. doi: 10.5334/tohm.752. PMID: 37008995; PMCID: PMC10064886.
https://tremorjournal.org/articles/10.5334/tohm.752
Zali A, Motavaf M, Safari S, Ebrahimi N, Ghajarzadeh M, Khoshnood RJ, Mirmosayyeb O. The prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS): a systematic review and meta-analysis-an update. Neurol Sci. 2023 Jan;44(1):67-82. doi: 10.1007/s10072-022-06364-6. Epub 2022 Sep 5. PMID: 36058956.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10072-022-06364-6
de Mello MT, Lauro FA, Silva AC, Tufik S. Incidence of periodic leg movements and of the restless legs syndrome during sleep following acute physical activity in spinal cord injury subjects. Spinal Cord. 1996 May;34(5):294-6. doi: 10.1038/sc.1996.53. PMID: 8963978.
https://www.nature.com/articles/sc199653
User Testimonials
Reviewed By:
Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)
Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Think you might have
Restless Leg Syndrome
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Cardiothoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery Associates
