Tingling, burning, and an irresistible urge to move your legs before sleep may point to restless legs syndrome. Neurologist Aliya Sagindykova, a PhD graduate of Newcastle University, explains how to recognize the condition and when to see a doctor, reports infohub.kz.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder marked by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to unpleasant sensations such as tingling, crawling, fullness, burning, or internal discomfort. Movement provides only temporary relief.
According to various studies, RLS symptoms affect 5–10% of adults, but clinically significant syndrome requiring treatment occurs in about 2–3% of the population. Women are more commonly affected, especially during pregnancy and after age 40–50.
Key criteria for RLS include an irresistible urge to move the legs, symptoms that begin or worsen at rest, improvement with movement, and peak severity in the evening or at night. This interferes with falling asleep, causes frequent awakenings, and leads to daytime fatigue.
To distinguish RLS from fatigue or cramps, note that relief only comes with movement. With fatigue, legs ache after exertion and resolve on their own; with cramps, a sudden painful muscle spasm occurs. In RLS, discomfort arises specifically at rest, and walking or moving the legs temporarily relieves symptoms.
Evening symptom exacerbation is linked to circadian rhythms in the brain: decreased dopamine system activity and altered iron metabolism in the brain. Even with normal hemoglobin, low ferritin can provoke or worsen symptoms, so checking ferritin and complete blood count is recommended, with iron supplementation if needed.
Self-help measures include regular moderate physical activity, walks before bed, gentle leg stretches, massage, a warm shower or bath, consistent sleep schedule, and reducing caffeine, alcohol, and smoking in the afternoon.
See a doctor if symptoms occur several times a week, disrupt sleep, reduce quality of life, or worsen over time. It is especially important not to delay a visit if symptoms first appear after age 50, or are accompanied by weakness, numbness, or severe pain.