Restless Leg Syndrome in Teenagers

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that causes people to experience painful sensations in their legs. Teens with the disorder often have a family history of restless legs syndrome, and their symptoms usually begin when they are younger, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Risk Factors

• Teens who have anemia, kidney disease, a thyroid disorder, sleep apnea and/or diabetes have an increased risk of developing restless legs syndrome, according to Helpguide.org. Certain drugs, such as anti-nausea or anti-seizure medications, may worsen symptoms of the disorder.

Symptoms

• The disorder causes teenagers to feel a need to move their legs or arms, especially after periods of inactivity, because of tingling or burning sensations, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke.

Related Disorders

• The Sleep Channel states that teens with restless legs syndrome often have periodic limb movement disorder, which causes them to involuntarily move their legs, ankles, toes or arms while they are sleeping.

Diagnosis

• Doctors will often diagnose restless legs syndrome based on patients' symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes they use a complete blood count or serum ferritin to rule out other conditions, such as anemia, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

Treatment

• People can relieve symptoms of restless leg syndrome by taking a warm bath, doing stretching exercises, taking a pain reliever and/or using a cold pack. Sometimes doctors will prescribe opoids, muscle relaxants or epilepsy drugs for teens with the disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic.