Restless legs syndrome on the radar

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects up to 10% of Americans and twice as many women as men. Risk factors include age, genetics, iron-deficiency anemia, and pregnancy. A variety of therapies can alleviate symptoms, which are dominated by creepy-crawly, sometimes painful leg sensations that tend to strike around bedtime. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommended in March 2024 to stop using dopamine-boosting drugs as first-line therapy for RLS; it should be taken only by patients whose symptoms don’t respond to other treatments.