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If you frequently experience an overwhelming urge to move your legs when you\u2019re sitting still or lying down, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you\u2019ve found yourself lying in bed or sitting at your desk, only to realise you\u2019re legs and feet are repetitively moving \u2013 almost as if they have a mind of their own.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s highly likely you might be experiencing Restless Leg Syndrome \u2013 a neurological disorder that\u2019s characterised by uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them.<\/p>\n
\u2018These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, such as when sitting or lying down, and they often worsen in the evening or at night,\u2019 explains Dr Chun Tang, medical director of Pall Mall Medical.<\/p>\n
\u2018Movement provides temporary relief from the discomfort.\u2019<\/p>\n
However, the intensity of this can vary from person to person.<\/p>\n
Dr Chang adds: \u2018People with RLS often describe the sensations as crawling, creeping, tingling, burning, or itching deep within the legs. Sufferers may find the sensations difficult to describe accurately but they are distressing and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
\u2018The discomfort is accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs to alleviate the sensations. This movement can be voluntary or involuntary, such as constant shifting, stretching, or rhythmic leg movements.<\/p>\n
\u2018In more severe cases, the symptoms can significantly impact a person\u2019s quality of life, leading to chronic sleep disturbances and fatigue and severity can also fluctuate over time.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Dr Suhail Hussain, a GP from London, adds that while it might seem harmless, it\u2019s important to make sure there\u2019s no underlying factor for this restlessness.<\/p>\n
He says: \u2018If people are low in iron\/anaemic this can often result in such symptoms as restless legs amongst others \u2013 hair thinning, tiredness etc. You should also be checked for any other pathological cause before it is classed as unknown.<\/p>\n
\u2018Conditions to check for include, hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.\u2019<\/p>\n
But what causes this restlessness? And why do some people get it and others don\u2019t?<\/p>\n
Dr Chang adds: \u2018The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.<\/p>\n
\u2018Certain medical conditions, such as iron deficiency, peripheral neuropathy, kidney failure, and pregnancy, can trigger or worsen RLS symptoms.<\/p>\n
\u2018Treatment for RLS depends on the severity of symptoms and their impact on a person\u2019s daily life.\u2019<\/p>\n