Cause 9. Restless Legs Syndrome: The Unsettling Need to Move
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder that is characterized by a compelling urge to move one’s legs. This sensation usually occurs when at rest—particularly during the evening or night hours—and is often accompanied by uncomfortable feelings in the legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful.
Individuals with RLS find that these symptoms are temporarily relieved by movement, such as walking or stretching, but return once the movement stops. As a result, RLS can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, leading to significant sleep loss. This nightly sleep disruption can cause excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue, affecting a person’s mood, productivity, and quality of life.
RLS can begin at any age, but it is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed, especially when symptoms start in childhood or adolescence. Most people with RLS have their condition worsen slowly over time. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, individuals with RLS may struggle with their symptoms for years. (9)
