Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs.  The urge is typically caused by uncomfortable sensations and occurs in the evening or nighttime hours while sitting or lying down.  The unpleasant feeling will ease temporarily after moving the legs but usually returns as soon as the motion stops.  RLS will fluctuate in intensity and disappear for periods of time, returning at a later date.  

RLS is also known as Willis-Ekbom disease and disrupts sleep, leading to difficulty with daily activities.  The syndrome can develop at any age and will gradually worsen as the patient gets older.   

The uncomfortable sensations are described as occurring inside the leg, rather than on the surface of the skin and feels electric, aching, throbbing, itching, pulling, creeping, or crawling in nature.  RLS has also been associated with another condition called periodic limb movement of sleep (nighttime leg twitching).  This condition causes the legs to kick and twitch at night while sleeping.  The sensations felt are not always easy to explain, although no matter what the sensation feels like, the urge to move the legs is the same.  

There are medications available that will help relieve RLS, and some lifestyle changes may also help.  Mara Fiorentino, M.D., can help with restless legs syndrome.