{"id":26278,"date":"2025-01-27T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/restless-legs-syndrome-and-sleep\/"},"modified":"2025-01-27T15:30:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T15:30:01","slug":"restless-legs-syndrome-and-sleep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/restless-legs-syndrome-and-sleep\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deal With Restless Legs Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Everyone has trouble falling asleep<\/a> once in a while. If you have restless legs syndrome (RLS), getting a good night\u2019s sleep can feel like a daily hurdle. RLS is a common disorder, but what exactly causes it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for RLS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is restless legs syndrome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a sleep and movement disorder characterized by a strong, almost irresistible urge to move your legs while resting. [3]<\/sup> The urge to move is often caused by general discomfort, throbbing, or itching sensations in the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRLS is a surprisingly common cause of insomnia in my patients, many of whom did not even realize such a condition exists,\u201d says Alex Dimitriu<\/a>, MD, a double-board certified sleep medicine physician and psychiatrist, and the founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What causes restless legs syndrome? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The exact causes of RLS are unknown, but Dimitriu says genetics, dopamine dysregulation, and iron deficiency may play a role.\u00a0Magnesium<\/a>\u00a0deficiency may also be a contributing factor.\u00a0[4]<\/sup>\u00a0\u201cIt can also be seen in certain medical situations like pregnancy or kidney disease,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are lifestyle factors too, like drinking alcohol<\/a> or ingesting too much caffeine<\/a>, that can exacerbate or contribute to RLS. [1]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, cases of RLS may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. [3] <\/sup>The likelihood of developing RLS increases with age\u2014this condition affects up to 4% of children and 10% of adults, according to the National Library of Medicine\u2019s MedlinePlus. [1, 5]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does restless legs syndrome feel like? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People with RLS feel a strong urge to move their legs while resting, but the specific sensations triggering the urge can vary from person to person. If you have RLS, you might experience:\u00a0[2]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n