Restless Leg Syndrome

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Reviewed By:

Shohei Harase

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.

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Content updated on Jan 4, 2023

About the symptom

Restless leg syndrome is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation

When to see a doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

  • Unexplained weight loss of 5% or more in 1 month

  • Fainting with loss of consciousness

  • Peripheral cyanosis

Possible causes

  • Anemia

    Anemia is a disorder in which the body's tissues don't get enough oxygen due to insufficient healthy red blood cells. There are several types anemia with various causes, the most common being iron-deficiency anemia which is a result of insufficient iron. Iron is required to produce haemoglobin, a substance in the red blood cells which help carry oxygen.

  • Restless foot syndrome

    Restless legs syndrome (RLS) Willis-Ekbom disease is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. It typically occurs while sitting or lying down. Exact cause is unknown, but could be due to a chemical (dopamine) imbalance in the brain. It can begin at any age and generally worsens with age. It can disrupt sleep, which interferes with daily activities.

Related serious diseases

  • Uremia / chronic renal failure

    Severe decrease in kidney function. There are many causes of this, from repeated damage due to infections, diabetes, high blood pressure to autoimmunity (body's immune system attacking itself).

Questions your doctor may ask about this symptom

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom

  • Do you feel your legs are restless and you can't sleep well?

Other Related Symptoms

Similar symptoms or complaints

References

  • Klingelhoefer L, Bhattacharya K, Reichmann H. Restless legs syndrome. Clin Med (Lond). 2016 Aug;16(4):379-82. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.16-4-379. PMID: 27481386; PMCID: PMC6280211.

    https://www.rcpjournals.org/content/clinmedicine/16/4/379

  • Tipton PW, Wszołek ZK. Restless legs syndrome and nocturnal leg cramps: a review and guide to diagnosis and treatment. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2017 Dec 22;127(12):865-872. doi: 10.20452/pamw.4148. Epub 2017 Nov 9. PMID: 29120993.

    https://www.mp.pl/paim/issue/article/4148/

  • Gonzalez-Latapi P, Malkani R. Update on Restless Legs Syndrome: from Mechanisms to Treatment. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2019 Jun 27;19(8):54. doi: 10.1007/s11910-019-0965-4. PMID: 31250128.

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11910-019-0965-4

  • Garcia-Malo C, Romero-Peralta S, Cano-Pumarega I. Restless Legs Syndrome - Clinical Features. Sleep Med Clin. 2021 Jun;16(2):233-247. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2021.02.002. Epub 2021 Apr 24. PMID: 33985650.

    https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1556407X21000047

  • Trotti LM. Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep-Related Movement Disorders. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2017 Aug;23(4, Sleep Neurology):1005-1016. doi: 10.1212/CON.0000000000000488. PMID: 28777173.

    https://journals.lww.com/continuum/Fulltext/2017/08000/Restless_Legs_Syndrome_and_Sleep_Related_Movement.9.aspx

Reviewed By:

Shohei Harase

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.

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Shohei Harase, MD

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