‘Why do I have restless legs at night?’: Ask a doctor

For immoderate people, sleepless nights tin beryllium caused by racing thoughts, reactions to caffeine oregon overstimulation from utilizing devices excessively adjacent to bedtime. 

But for those affected by restless legs syndrome (RLS), getting prime remainder tin look impossible.

RLS is simply a nervous strategy condition that causes an irresistible impulse to determination the legs, often accompanied by tingling, pain, numbness oregon a sensation of "pulling."

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Fox News Digital spoke to 2 aesculapian doctors to larn much astir the condition, arsenic good arsenic ways to trim the triggers and symptoms.

RLS is simply a aesculapian information that causes an irresistible impulse to determination the legs, often accompanied by tingling, pain, numbness oregon a sensation of "pulling." (iStock)

What to cognize astir restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome is simply a neurological information that results successful the uncomfortable impulse to determination the legs.

"This usually happens successful the evening oregon nighttime erstwhile idiosyncratic is sitting oregon lying down, but tin hap anytime idiosyncratic is sitting for a prolonged play of time, similar riding successful a car oregon a plane," Beth Oller, M.D., a household doc with Rooks County Health Center successful Stockton, Kansas, told Fox News Digital. "This interferes with slumber and rest."

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RLS affects betwixt 7% and 10% of the United States population. 

It is much communal among women and the hazard increases with age, according to Cleveland Clinic.

RLS affects betwixt 7% and 10% of the United States population. It is much communal among women and the hazard increases with age. (iStock)

The information is known arsenic early-onset RLS erstwhile the diagnosis is made earlier property 45. This benignant tends to tally successful families and progresses slowly, according to Oller.

Late-onset RLS begins aft property 45 and progresses much quickly.  

Symptoms and causes

An uncomfortable sensation successful the legs that leads to the impulse to determination them is the main grounds of RLS. 

"This is often described arsenic a tingling oregon itching sensation, a crawling, creeping sensation, oregon aching and throbbing," Oller said. 

"These sensations are astir commonly successful the calf area, and sensations get worse erstwhile you’re resting." 

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Although symptoms are usually astir noticeable successful the evening, they tin hap erstwhile sitting for a prolonged play of time.

The circumstantial origin of RLS is not known, but genetics could play a role. 

"It does often run successful families, and determination are immoderate cistron variants that person been linked to RLS," Oller said. 

Some medications person besides been linked to RLS, arsenic has excessive usage of caffeine and alcohol, an adept said. (iStock)

Some medications person besides been linked to RLS, arsenic has excessive usage of caffeine and alcohol, she added.

Certain lifestyle habits whitethorn interaction the condition, according to Mike Sevilla, M.D., a household doc with Salem Family Care successful Salem, Ohio. 

"In talking with my patients, determination tin beryllium idiosyncratic triggers that whitethorn marque RLS symptoms worse, similar stress, caffeine, intoxicant and nicotine," helium told Fox News Digital.

Finding relief

"There is nary mode to forestall RLS, and the seriousness tin alteration from idiosyncratic to person," said Oller. 

For those experiencing RLS, moving the legs does trim the discomfort, but this alleviation lone lasts for a abbreviated play of time, according to the doctor.

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While determination is nary cure, determination are ways to lessen symptoms, she noted.

One first-line attraction is to trial for and close immoderate existing robust deficiency, which tin beryllium a contributing factor.

RLS tin hap anytime idiosyncratic is sitting for a prolonged play of time, similar riding successful a car oregon a plane, a doc said. (iStock)

Lifestyle changes whitethorn besides assistance trim RLS occurrence and symptoms, Oller said.  

While moderate exercise tin assistance with the condition, she recommends avoiding dense oregon aggravated workout respective hours earlier bedtime.

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Salem suggests stretching limb muscles successful the evening, soaking the legs successful a lukewarm tub and aiming for a regular slumber docket of six to 8 hours per night.

Stretching exercises could assistance alleviate symptoms, experts say. (iStock)

Avoiding caffeine oregon intoxicant for respective hours earlier furniture tin besides assistance forestall symptoms.

If these approaches aren't effective, determination are medications available to dainty RLS.

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"Generally, the archetypal medications prescribed volition beryllium ones that summation dopamine successful the leg, similar pramipexole oregon ropinirole," Oller said.

Anyone who is experiencing persistent symptoms that make slumber disruptions should contact a doctor for guidance.