Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common (1 in 10) but often unknown condition causing sever sleep disturbance and other health conditions. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an extreme urge to move the legs when they are at rest. Sensations like creeping,\u00a0throbbing, pulling, itching or needles and pins in the legs are common. Once patients move their legs, the symptoms diminish. Typically this happens during the evening or night time. Thus RLS is causing sever sleep disturbances.<\/p>\n
Harvard researchers found out that sleep deprivation \u2013 caused by Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) \u2013 leads to higher risk of early death. Former studies linked RLS with many other conditions, including depression, high blood pressure, and heart disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don’t know if RLS is a marker for heart disease or a cause. We’re worried it’s a cause because the periodic limb movements in sleep that often occur with restless legs can affect blood pressure,\u201d says Richard P. Allen, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. \u201cEvery time you have a movement, you’re getting a fairly significant increase in blood pressure\u2014and you’re doing that up to 1,000 times a night.\u201d<\/p>\n