Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a broad term that describes a variety of symptoms, including burning, tingling, crawling sensations in your legs. Some people experience RLS with a very strong urge to get up and move around when they are sitting down or lying in bed at night. Restless leg syndrome can affect any area of the legs and can be controlled to some extent with medications. There are several causes of this medical condition, as explained by the experts at the Mayo Clinic (see Resources).

Heredity

• A person may develop restless leg syndrome simply because it runs in his family. As many as 50 percent of people who have RLS have a family member with the condition as well.

Anemia

• Anemia, or a lack of iron, can be a cause of RLS. If you experience RLS and are not anemic, it is important to continue a diet with sufficient iron to avoid increasingly worse symptoms.

Pregnancy

• Hormonal shifts that take place during pregnancy can cause some women to experience restless leg syndrome. Most often, symptoms dissipate after giving birth.

Neuropathy

• Neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that is common in people who have diabetes. If you suffer from neuropathy, it is likely that you may display some RLS symptoms as well.

Stress

• Too much stress can affect your body in many ways, one of which being your legs. People who are under a lot of stress may develop or show an increase of RLS symptoms.