restless legs syndrome

Also known as WED, Willis-Ekbom disease, Wittmaack-Ekbom syndrome, RLS, restless leg syndrome

disabling neurological pathology characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs

Key facts

Other names: Willis–Ekbom disease (WED), Wittmaack–Ekbom syndrome
Specialty: Sleep medicine
Symptoms: Unpleasant feeling in the legs that briefly improves with moving them
Complications: Daytime sleepiness, low energy, irritability, sadness
Usual onset: More common with older age
Risk factors: Low iron levels , kidney failure , Parkinson's disease , diabetes mellitus , rheumatoid arthritis , multiple sclerosis , pregnancy, certain medications
Diagnostic method: Based on symptoms after ruling out other possible causes
Treatment: Lifestyle changes, medication
Medication: Dopamine agonists , levodopa , gabapentinoids , opioids
Frequency: 2.5–15% (US)

via Wikipedia infobox

Research

Article

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis–Ekbom disease (WED), is a neurological disorder, usually chronic, that causes an overwhelming urge to move one's legs. There is often an unpleasant feeling in the legs that improves temporarily by moving them. This feeling is often described as aching, tingling, or crawling in nature. Occasionally, arms may also be affected. The feelings generally happen when at rest and therefore can make it hard to sleep. Sleep disruption may leave people with RLS sleepy during the day, with low energy, and irritable or depressed. Additionally, many have limb twitching during sleep, a condition known as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). RLS is not the same as habitual foot-tapping or leg-rocking.

Signs and symptoms