What is RLS?

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is also known as Ekbom Syndrome, Wittmaack-Ekbom Syndrome, Anxietas Tibialis, and Hereditary Acromelalgia.

RLS is the basic cause of sleep deprivation for up to an estimated 5% of our population (12 million people). Many victims spend their evenings and nights pacing the floor, or vigorously exercising to relieve the uncontrollable need to move their legs. never associating that restlessness with their inability to sleep.

This chronic (persistent) syndrome can occur sporadically or be hereditary.  It can be a central nervous system disorder or can sometimes be due to a tyupe of malfunction of peripheral nerves called neuropathy. Occasionally it may be associated with chronic alcoholism, iron-deficiency anemia, pregnancy or diabetes. Some scientists suggest that the syndrome may reflect a mild defect in the way sleep is organized by the brain.

Unexplainable feelings of crawling, creeping, pulling, tingling and twitching beneath the skin, usually between the thighs and ankles, often occur when the victim sits or lies down to rest. These sensations sometimes plague the RLS sufferer when traveling. A simple cross-town jaunt can turn into a nightmare of a throbbing, irrepressible need for the afflicted person to stand or to walk.

Although most people who seek medical attention are middle to older age, studies of these victims reveal that some had histories of restlessness and aching legs during childhood: "growing pains" was the common explanation.  Studies are ongoing to examine a possible correlation.

There are available medications which may be prescribed by general practitioners or neurologists to relieve the symptoms of RLS. More severe cases may require evaluation at a sleep center.

A related syndrome, nocturnal myoclonus, known as Periodic Leg Movement Disorder (PLMD) or Periodic Leg Movement During Sleep (PLMS), is characterized by periodic episodes of jerking spells of the limbs during sleeping and sometimes during wakefulness. The movement selsom disturbs the sleep of a myoclonus victim. Persons with RLS often have PLMD but the converse is not true. This syndrome affects about 5% of the population. The cause and cure of both syndromes are unknown but through the efforts of this Foundation there is hope that more will be done to solve these mysterious maladies.