Published on: 6/12/2025
Why does my leg keep twitching at night?
Your leg twitching at night might be caused by conditions like Restless Legs Syndrome, which can be influenced by medications or alcohol use.
Explanation
Leg twitching at night can be caused by something called Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). This is a condition where you feel an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, especially at night. One of the reasons for this could be taking certain medications which may make RLS symptoms appear or get worse.
Another reason for leg twitching could be related to alcohol use. Drinking alcohol can exacerbate something called periodic limb movements of sleep, where your legs move or twitch without you meaning to. This can disturb your sleep and make you feel tired during the day.
If your leg twitching is persistent or bothersome, it might be helpful to talk to a healthcare provider about it. They can help you figure out what's causing the twitching and suggest ways to make it better.
(References)
- Page RL 2nd, Ruscin JM, Bainbridge JL, & Brieke AA. (2008). Restless legs syndrome induced by escitalopram. Pharmacotherapy, 18225972.
- Aldrich MS, & Shipley JE. (1993). Alcohol use and periodic limb movements of sleep. Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 8452202.
- Saini A, Berruti A, Ferini-Strambi L, Castronovo V, Rametti E, Giuliano PL, et al. (2013). Restless legs syndrome as a cause of sleep disturbances .... Journal of pain and symptom management, 23116590.
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