In such cases, restless legs syndrome usually disappears after the woman has given birth.įind out more about the causes of restless legs syndrome Treating restless legs syndrome About 1 in 5 pregnant women will experience symptoms in the last 3 months of their pregnancy, although it's not clear exactly why this is. There's also a link between restless legs syndrome and pregnancy. This is known as secondary restless legs syndrome. In some cases, restless legs syndrome is caused by an underlying health condition, such as iron deficiency anaemia or kidney failure. Some neurologists (specialists in treating conditions that affect the nervous system) believe the symptoms of restless legs syndrome may have something to do with how the body handles a chemical called dopamine.ĭopamine is involved in controlling muscle movement and may be responsible for the involuntary leg movements associated with restless legs syndrome. This is known as idiopathic or primary restless legs syndrome, and it can run in families. In the majority of cases, there's no obvious cause of restless legs syndrome. In severe cases, restless legs syndrome can be very distressing and disrupt a person's daily activities. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe.

Some people have the symptoms of restless legs syndrome occasionally, while others have them every day. Restless legs syndrome is also associated with involuntary jerking of the legs and arms, known as periodic limb movements (PLM). Occasionally, the arms are affected, too. The sensation is often worse in the evening or at night. It can also cause an unpleasant crawling or creeping sensation in the feet, calves and thighs. The main symptom of restless legs syndrome is an overwhelming urge to move your legs. Restless legs syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a common condition of the nervous system that causes an overwhelming irresistible urge to move the legs.

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