Singapore
A 27-year-old female asked:
is rls (restless legs syndrome) dangerous? does it cause any other health issues gradually?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Donald Mantzanswered
Family Medicine 38 years experience
Nuisance mostly: Danger primarily from poor quality sleep. Restless legs can be treated fairly easily. The main thing to rule out is a iron deficiency anemia, the best test for which is a ferritin level. Most health issues are secondary to chronic sleep loss, if RLS is severe. These include weight gain, elevated blood pressure, Insulin resistance/diabetes, daytime sleepiness, motor vehicle accidents.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Mark Schwartzanswered
Vascular Surgery 9 years experience
Underlying Causes: Restless leg is purely a nuisance, but it would be beneficial to get checked for underlying vascular disorders, as well as various mineral and electrolyte abnormalities that could alleviate your symptoms.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
Do I have restless legs syndrome?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michelle Zetoonyanswered
Sleep Medicine 18 years experience
Ask yourself if ...: Ask yourself if you have the 4 cardinal features: 1 ) urge to move legs/body, 1)rest makes symptom worse, 3) getting up moving makes symptoms better and 4 ) it only happens in eveningor night (not in morning or day). These features suggest rls.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
What can I do about my restless legs?
3 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michelle Zetoonyanswered
Sleep Medicine 18 years experience
Seek help and online: You should always address with your own physician symptoms that are bothering you. Rls can be sign of underlying medical issue in some people. There is help online. I like rlsnetwork.Com and rlshelp.Org.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Are there any substances that make my restless legs worse?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Maritza Baezanswered
Family Medicine 17 years experience
Alcohol: Alcohol can make restless legs feel more uncomfortable.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 61-year-old member asked:
What drugs do you recommend to ease restless legs syndrome effects?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michelle Zetoonyanswered
Sleep Medicine 18 years experience
Look online: There is the RLS network online that has good resources. Also one of my favorite sites regaring RLS is www.Rlshelp.Org. Hope this helps.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
What causes restless legs?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Julian Bragganswered
Neurology 17 years experience
Usually spontaneous: While RLS is often unrelated to other medical issues, there is an increased incidence in patients with iron deficiency and with peripheral neuropathy. Some cases have a genetic basis.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jan 12, 2015
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$30 per visit with
membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.