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Cause of Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that causes unpleasant sensations and the urge (sometimes uncontrollable) to move the legs. The sensations occur usually during rest. There are still a lot of unknowns regarding restless leg syndrome causes. Some of the known causes:

• Genetics
• Conditions
• Factors

Some substances can trigger the unpleasant symptoms in someone who is predisposed to developing restless leg syndrome.

In the 50% of restless leg syndrome sufferers, a relative also has restless leg syndrome. With those who have familial RLS, the symptoms will appear at an earlier age and won’t progress as fast as those sufferers that don’t have a family member with it. There is still research being done regarding a possible gene that is responsible for restless leg syndrome.

Secondary restless leg syndrome can be from factors and health conditions.

Conditions:

• Obesity
  Being overweight
• Pregnancy
  Commonly occurs during the last trimester and last through the first four weeks postpartum
• Chronic disease
  Such as diabetes, hormone disease, kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy
• Anemia
  Iron deficiency
• Neurological abnormalities in the brain
  Dopamine and serotonin system malfunction and messages are not transported in the brain properly
• Infectious or inflammatory conditions
• Neurological abnormalities in the spine
  Spinal cord nerve impairment

Factors:

• Age
  Increase risk with age
• Medications
  Some cold and allergy medications, antinausea drugs, antiseizure drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, chemotherapy, heart or blood, cholesterol lowering.
• Trauma
  Injury and stress
• Cold
  Extended exposure

Symptoms of restless leg syndrome may be triggered by substances or activities. Eliminating the problem substance can relieve symptoms. Changing an activity like resting or sleeping is more difficult to manage. The time of day can affect the triggers of symptom occurrence. During the evening and during the nighttime, it is more likely some activities will trigger symptoms. Triggers of restless leg syndrome symptoms:

• Alcohol consumption
• Caffeine consumption
• Tobacco use
• Resting
• Lying down
• Sleeping

With professional care and research, the cause of an individual’s restless leg syndrome can sometimes be discovered. Even if the restless leg syndrome cause cannot be identified, the symptoms can be managed.

Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

What are the Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome?