Key takeaways:
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs.
It can affect your sleep, mood, and ability to concentrate.
There’s no cure for RLS, but reducing triggers, getting regular exercise, and taking medications can help relieve symptoms.
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If you have trouble sleeping at night because you can’t seem to keep your legs still, you may have restless leg syndrome (RLS). And you’re not alone. RLS is a common nervous system condition affecting just under 10% of the population.
Experts aren’t sure what causes RLS, but thankfully there are effective treatments that can help reduce your symptoms.
What is restless leg syndrome?
RLS is a condition of the nervous system that causes an overwhelming urge to move your legs. This sensation can happen at any time, but it tends to be worse at night when you lay down to rest.
Anyone can get RLS, but it’s twice as common in women than it is in men. RLS is most often seen in older adults, although it can be diagnosed in toddlers as well.
About 3 in 10 people have symptoms so severe it interferes with their quality of life and requires medication to treat the symptoms.
What are the symptoms of restless leg syndrome?
The symptoms of RLS happen mostly at night, but they can also occur during the day after sitting still for an extended period. They include:
An unpleasant, irresistible urge to move your legs that’s relieved by moving them
Throbbing, crawling, or pulling sensations in the leg
Relief from discomfort when moving your legs
The arms and trunk can also be affected in RLS, but this is less common. Up to one-third of people with RLS also report the urge to eat at night, leading to night binging.
RLS can interfere with sleep and negatively affect your mood, ability to concentrate, and performance in daily activities. To make matters worse, reduced sleep can worsen symptoms.
Diagnosing restless leg syndrome
There’s no one specific test for RLS, although testing may be done to rule out other things. The diagnosis can often be made based on your symptoms alone. If you’re suffering from symptoms that sound like those of RLS, be sure to contact a healthcare professional.
What are the risk factors of restless leg syndrome?
The exact cause of RLS is unknown. It tends to run in families, suggesting it could be inherited. But it has also been linked to iron deficiency and a chemical in the brain called dopamine.
RLS has also been linked to certain medical conditions. These include:
Kidney disease requiring hemodialysis
Nerve damage
Iron-deficiency anemia
There are studies with weak evidence showing a possible link between RLS and other conditions like:
Cardiovascular disease
Arterial hypertension
Diabetes
What are some triggers of restless leg syndrome?
In addition to medical conditions, other RLS triggers have been identified. This is good news, because avoiding or reducing RLS triggers can provide some relief of symptoms.
Some RLS triggers include:
Prescription medications, such as antipsychotics and some antidepressants
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used to treat allergies, but sometimes also used to treat insomnia
Alcohol
Caffeine
Nicotine
How is restless leg syndrome treated?
Treatment for RLS often begins with finding and addressing any medical conditions or triggers that might be contributing to RLS. It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional before stopping any prescription medications or starting supplements.
Self-care and lifestyle adjustments to manage restless leg syndrome
Another major step in treating RLS is establishing good sleep hygiene. This means:
Going to bed at the same time each night
Avoiding caffeine and electronics right before bed
Clearing your mind and reducing stress
It’s also helpful to avoid triggers that may be making your symptoms worse. If you’re not sure what your triggers are, try keeping a diary to see if you notice a pattern between activities or habits and symptoms. Quitting smoking and cutting back on alcohol are often recommended.
Does exercise help restless leg syndrome?
Regular, daytime exercise may help with symptoms of RLS, although few studies have evaluated this closely. At the very least, regular exercise can improve sleep quality. But it’s important that you avoid vigorous exercise for a couple of hours before bed.
What type of medications work on restless leg syndrome?
If your symptoms are severe or interfering with your activities, medication may be recommended. A healthcare professional can help decide which treatment is best for you, but options include:
Iron supplementation in oral or intravenous (IV) form
Anti-seizure medications, such as gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant), pregabalin (Lyrica), and gabapentin (Neurontin)
Low-dose opioids (like oxycodone, methadone) for severe RLS symptoms
Anti-seizure medications are a first-choice treatment option, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s treatment guidelines published in 2025. Previously, dopamine agonist medications — such as ropinirole (Requip) and pramipexole (Mirapex) — were common first-choice medications for treating RLS. But they have a higher risk of side effects and worsening symptoms and are no longer commonly recommended.
Anti-seizure medications like gabapentin are as effective as the dopamine agonists, but with fewer side effects.
Other restless leg syndrome treatments
Peroneal nerve stimulation is a non-medication treatment option for RLS. Research shows these wearable devices can provide effective symptom relief when used alone. But they may also help to decrease the doses and risks of long-term side effects when used alongside dopamine agonist medications.
Frequently asked questions
Many people with restless leg syndrome (RLS) are believed to have a condition called periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS). However, not all people with PLMS have RLS. Part of the diagnosis of RLS involves ruling out other conditions that mimic RLS, like:
Leg cramps
Vascular disorders
Akathisia (generalized movement disorder)
Nerve disorders
A healthcare professional can help determine the source of your symptoms and the best steps for treatment.
There are some ways to help improve your RLS symptoms naturally, but they may not get rid of your symptoms completely. You can try the following steps and see how you respond:
Engage in regular exercise such as walking, stretching, or swimming
Establish good sleep habits
Avoid triggers like caffeine, alcohol, and smoking
Massage your legs at night
Take a warm bath before bedtime
Consider an oral iron supplement if your iron level is low or borderline
There’s really not an immediate fix for RLS. It’s helpful to incorporate self-care techniques and limit known triggers to avoid flare-ups. If you’ve been prescribed medication for your symptoms, be sure to take it as directed.
Many people with restless leg syndrome (RLS) are believed to have a condition called periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS). However, not all people with PLMS have RLS. Part of the diagnosis of RLS involves ruling out other conditions that mimic RLS, like:
Leg cramps
Vascular disorders
Akathisia (generalized movement disorder)
Nerve disorders
A healthcare professional can help determine the source of your symptoms and the best steps for treatment.
There are some ways to help improve your RLS symptoms naturally, but they may not get rid of your symptoms completely. You can try the following steps and see how you respond:
Engage in regular exercise such as walking, stretching, or swimming
Establish good sleep habits
Avoid triggers like caffeine, alcohol, and smoking
Massage your legs at night
Take a warm bath before bedtime
Consider an oral iron supplement if your iron level is low or borderline
There’s really not an immediate fix for RLS. It’s helpful to incorporate self-care techniques and limit known triggers to avoid flare-ups. If you’ve been prescribed medication for your symptoms, be sure to take it as directed.
The bottom line
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a frustrating but treatable condition that can affect your sleep and quality of life. It can be brought on by other medical conditions and triggers, so it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you have RLS symptoms. The good news is that lifestyle adjustments and medications can help relieve symptoms and get you a better night’s sleep.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2024). New guideline provides treatment recommendations for restless legs syndrome.
An, T., et al. (2024). Associations of anxiety and depression with restless leg syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology.
Charlesworth, J. D., et al. (2023). Bilateral high-frequency noninvasive peroneal nerve stimulation evokes tonic leg muscle activation for sleep-compatible reduction of restless legs syndrome symptoms. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Didato, G., et al. (2020). Restless legs syndrome across the lifespan: Symptoms, pathophysiology, management and daily life Impact of the different patterns of disease presentation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Konzen, V. R., et al. (2026). From efficacy to effectiveness: Tonic motor activation in real-world management of refractory restless legs syndrome. Sleep.
National Health Services. (2025). Restless legs syndrome.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2026). Restless legs syndrome.
Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation. (n.d.). Diagnosis & treatment.
Schormair, B., et al. (2024). Genome-wide meta-analyses of restless legs syndrome yield insights into genetic architecture, disease biology and risk prediction. Nature Genetics.
Trenkwalder, C., et al. (2016). Restless legs syndrome associated with major diseases. Neurology.
Winkelman, J. W., et al. (2023). Long-term safety, dose stability, and efficacy of opioids for patients with restless legs syndrome in the National RLS Opioid Registry. Neurology.
Winkelman, J. W., et al. (2025). Treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
