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Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome causes uncomfortable sensations in the limbs at rest. Movement usually alleviates the symptoms. If the symptoms persist for more than three weeks, occurring several nights a week, seek medical help.
Specialists in the article
LT,Keuhkosairauksien ja allergologian erikoislääk.
Palvelukoordinaattori, unihäiriöt
Revised 3/20/2025
Restless legs syndrome in brief
- Restless legs syndrome causes an uncomfortable or even painful sensation in the legs during rest. Moving the legs typically eases the discomfort.
- People with restless legs may also experience periodic limb movements during sleep.
- If the symptoms are mild and do not interfere with sleep, no medication is needed. All you need to do is to avoid factors that aggravate the symptoms. A physician will assess the need for medication.
What are the symptoms of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder?
The most common symptoms of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder include:
- Uncomfortable sensations: These include itching, prickling, burning or pain, which usually occur deep in the legs.
- An overwhelming need to move the legs: Movement, such as walking or stretching, usually alleviates the symptoms.
- Worsening of symptoms at rest: The symptoms are often more severe at rest, especially in the evening or at night.
- Disturbed sleep: Because the symptoms get worse at night, they can disturb sleep and lead to insomnia or poor sleep quality.
- Variation in symptoms: The symptoms may vary daily and may be worse during stress or fatigue.
Unpleasant sensations in the lower limbs when going to sleep are quite common. Restless legs syndrome (RLS), where the legs feel uncomfortable and painful at rest, can disturb sleep and the symptoms typically ease when moving the legs. RLS can make it difficult to fall asleep and, in the worst case, lead to severe insomnia.
Restless legs symptoms also occur as a secondary symptom associated with some diseases or medications. The most typical diseases or conditions that increase the risk of RLS are iron deficiency, kidney failure, certain neurological disorders and pregnancy. For example, tiring antihistamines and certain antidepressants can provoke RLS symptoms.
People with restless legs may also experience periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) during sleep. In periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), the movements of the limbs during sleep are frequent and can disturb sleep and cause daytime fatigue.
Although RLS and PLMD often occur simultaneously, they are separate disorders which have their own diagnoses.
How is restless legs syndrome treated?
If the symptoms are mild and do not interfere with sleep, no medication is needed. All you need to do is to avoid factors that aggravate the symptoms. Restless legs can be treated with certain medicines that affect the central nervous system, and iron medication can improve the quality of life of people with iron deficiency. As symptoms such as restless legs can also occur in other illnesses, it is important that a specialist examines and assesses the situation before starting any medication.
Treatment of restless legs symptoms may include lifestyle changes and medications that can help to control the symptoms and improve the quality of sleep.
Treatment may include:
- Lifestyle changes: Regular, light exercise. Good evening routines with regular bedtimes. Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Stretching and massaging your legs.
- Diet and dietary supplements: If necessary, iron, magnesium or folate supplements, when recommended by your physician. Avoiding fast-digesting carbohydrates in the evening.
- Medical treatment: In certain situations, medical treatment may help.
- Heat and cold treatment
- Massage
- Relaxation techniques
When should you seek help for restless legs?
To diagnose restless legs syndrome, it's good to find out the underlying causes so that the symptoms can be treated correctly.
Seek treatment if:
The restless legs symptoms last for more than three weeks, occurring several nights a week, and your own attempts to correct the situation do not help.
Prices are starting prices and depend on the selected studies and treatment methods. An outpatient clinic fee and Kanta fee are added to consultation visits.
| Service | Price estimate |
|---|---|
| Start of CPAP machine therapy (1st appointment with a sleep apnoea nurse) *The customer purchases a CPAP machine for themselves, starting from EUR 223.90. | from 223,90 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Initial examination for snoring | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
| Concise sleep polygraphy No Kela reimbursement will be paid for a concise sleep polygraphy. Learn more and book an appointment for a concise sleep polygraphy | from 542,40 € No Kela reimbursement |
| First appointment for a sleep apnoea oral appliance The estimated total price of a sleep apnoea oral appliance starts from about EUR 1,200. Learn more and book a first appointment for a sleep apnoea oral appliance | from 96,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 123,80 € |
| Initial evaluation for sleep apnoea | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
| Initial examination of sleep disorders | from 66,80 € Without Kela reimbursement from 96,80 € |
Related symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Deep exhaustion and weakness that does not improve with rest.
Fatigue
Many people experience occasional fatigue. Energy levels are influenced by lifestyle, health and many external factors.
Insomnia
Being stressed and busy daily can make it difficult to calm down, which, in turn, will affect sleep.
Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness and episodes of suddenly falling asleep may be caused by narcolepsy.
Other sleep disorders
Sleep disorders include restless legs and the rarer disorders of narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome and various parasomnias.
Sleep apnoea
Narrowing of the airways and relaxation of the muscles during sleep can lead to pauses in breathing.
Snoring
Noise during sleep is caused by a narrowing of the airway.
Other related services
CPAP therapy
Positive airway pressure ventilation effectively reduces sleep apnoea symptoms and improves the quality of life.
Sleep apnea examination, night polygraphy
A reliable at-home examination to diagnose and assess the severity of sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea oral appliance
A treatment especially for mild sleep apnoea.
Frequently asked questions about restless legs syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that causes an irresistible urge to move your legs. This urge is caused by unpleasant sensations such as tingling, burning or stinging, which usually get worse when at rest, especially in the evening and at night. The symptoms are typically relieved by movement, such as walking or shaking your feet.
Treatment of restless legs symptoms may include lifestyle changes and medications that can help to control the symptoms and improve the quality of sleep.
Treatment may include:
- Lifestyle changes. Regular, light exercise. Good evening routines with regular bedtimes. Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco and alcohol. Stretching and massaging your legs.
- Diet and dietary supplements. If necessary, iron, magnesium or folate supplements, when recommended by your physician.
- Medical treatment. In certain situations, medical treatment may help.
- Heat and cold treatments and relaxation techniques.
It is important to consult your physician before starting any treatment to ensure that the treatment is safe and appropriate for your individual needs. Your physician can also help you to identify possible underlying causes, such as iron deficiency or other conditions that may affect your symptoms.
The treatment of restless legs syndrome starts with a thorough survey of the patient's symptoms, after which further examinations, such as laboratory tests or a sleep registration study, can be carried out, depending on the situation.
The treatment of restless legs syndrome begins with an initial examination for sleep disorders, in which the patient's symptoms are thoroughly assessed. The price of an initial examination for sleep disorders varies from specialist to specialist. You can see each specialist's price for the initial examination for sleep disorders in our online appointment booking service. Thanks to our flexible payment methods, you can also pay for this examination in instalments, for example. Learn more about our payment methods.
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