What can you tell me about restless leg syndrome? Over the past year, I have developed an uncontrollable urge to move my legs because of a tingling sensation, and it is keeping me awake at night.

If an irresistible urge to move your legs has you kicking in your sleep, you may be dealing with symptoms commonly associated with restless leg syndrome (RLS), a condition that affects about 7% to 8% of Americans. Here is what you should know.

RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, is a nervous system problem that causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations such as crawling, tingling, itching, aching, throbbing, pulling or an electric feeling in one or both legs. These sensations create an urge to move your legs when you are sitting or lying down, and the symptoms usually get worse with age. It typically happens in the evenings or at night while resting. Moving eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily.

While RLS is not a life-threatening condition, it disrupts sleep which can lead to daytime drowsiness, difficulty concentrating and possibly depression. The cause of RLS is unknown. Researchers suspect it could be linked to several things including iron deficiency or an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine. There is also likely a genetic component since about 60% of people with RLS have a family member with the same condition.

Treatments

While there is no cure for RLS, there are things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms. The first line of defense is usually to avoid certain substances like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and refined sugar, which can aggravate the problem.

Some drugs including antinausea drugs, some antidepressants and cold and allergy medications containing sedating antihistamines can also worsen RLS symptoms. If you take any of these medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if something else can be taken.

Iron and magnesium deficiencies are also believed to be contributors to RLS. It may be wise to make an appointment with your doctor and get a blood test to check for this. If you test positive for iron or magnesium deficiency, your doctor may recommend supplements.

You may also benefit from self-care treatments such as leg or calf stretches and massage, hot baths or applying hot or cold packs to the affected area. Pressure can also be effective for some people, so wearing compression socks may be helpful.

Getting moderate, regular exercise like walking, cycling, water aerobics and yoga may help ease symptoms. However, exercising too intensely or exercising late in the day may intensify RLS symptoms.

Medications

If the previously listed tips and self-treatments do not reduce your RLS, there are various medications your doctor can prescribe that can help, including:

Anti-seizure drugs: These medications affect nerve cell activity to reduce symptoms. Examples include gabapentin enacarbil, gabapentin and pregabalin.

Dopaminergic medications: These drugs, which are taken before bedtime, work by increasing dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps reduce RLS symptoms. Examples are ropinirole, pramipexole and the transdermal patch rotigotine. Be aware that while these drugs, taken short-term are effective, long-term use can make symptoms worse.

Anti-seizure medicines are a popular treatment option because they seem to be as effective as dopaminergic medications, with fewer side effects. Sometimes, other medications like benzodiazepines – alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam – may be prescribed for more restful sleep, but they do not eliminate the leg sensations, and they can be addictive, so it is best to avoid them if possible. For more information, visit the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation at RLS.org.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.  Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product.  These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics.  Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.