Restless legs syndrome is a feeling of discomfort in the limbs which often can only be improved by moving and stretching. It usually comes on when resting, and often it is more noticeable in the evening or at night.  Different people describe their discomfort in different ways: sometimes it is an odd feeling, an itch, a pain or a ‘tension’ in the muscles. Over time, other parts of the body can be affected too.

Restless legs syndrome can happen to anyone but it is a little more common in people with Parkinson’s.  It can also run in families. It is sometimes due to low levels of iron in the blood, but can be brought on by low levels of dopamine in the brain in Parkinson’s.

If you think that you or a family member has restless legs then talk to your GP or Parkinson’s team about it.  Medications can be helpful for some people.  There are some simple measures which can help reduce or alleviate symptoms:

• Regular exercise (e.g. walking)
• Stretching (e.g. before bed)
• Maintaining a healthy diet and good fluid intake
• Avoiding other causes of sleep disturbance (see Sleep Section)