Restless legs syndrome Dr Rob Hicks Restless legs syndrome, also known as Ekbom's syndrome, causes tingling, discomfort and sometimes outright pain in the legs.

In this article

What causes it? Who's affected?

What's the treatment? Advice and support

In most cases, the cause of restless legs syndrome is unknown. It can run in families and it can develop if a person has kidney problems or anaemia, or during pregnancy.

Symptoms are made worse by rest and are relieved by activity. They are usually worse at night and can disturb sleep, by the legs being 'restless'. Many people with restless legs syndrome find they go through periods when they don't have symptoms.

Restless legs syndrome is thought to affect between two to 15 per cent of the population, with women being affected more often than men.

It's more likely to occur as a person gets older and is most common after middle age. It can occur in children but only rarely.

There's no cure for restless legs syndrome and since the precise cause isn't known it can't be prevented.

Treatment options include:

• Increasing activity
• Rubbing the legs
• Increasing alertness and wakefulness, by doing a crossword for example
• Reducing caffeine, nicotine and alcohol intake
• Medication

Emotional support and reassurance that it doesn't develop into a more serious disease is important.

RLS:UK

Website: www.restlesslegs.org.uk

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006.