Do you experience an overwhelming need to move your legs at night? Does this uncomfortable sensation disrupt your sleep and leave you exhausted during the day? You may have restless leg syndrome (RLS), a treatable neurological condition that affects millions of Americans.
At Sleep Health & Wellness, Dr. Maria Tovar-Torres provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for restless leg syndrome, helping patients throughout Metro Detroit finally get the restful sleep they deserve.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Consult with Dr. Tovar-Torres to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation.
Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. Symptoms typically occur in the evening or at night when you’re sitting or lying down, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
RLS affects an estimated 7-10% of the U.S. population, though many people go undiagnosed for years because they don’t realize it’s a medical condition with effective treatments.
RLS symptoms vary from person to person but commonly include:
Uncomfortable Leg Sensations
The Urge to Move
Sleep Disruption
Important: RLS symptoms must occur primarily at rest and improve with movement to meet diagnostic criteria. If your symptoms occur throughout the day regardless of activity, another condition may be involved.
The exact cause of RLS isn’t fully understood, but research points to several contributing factors:
Dopamine Imbalance
RLS is associated with dysfunction in the brain’s dopamine pathways — the same neurotransmitter involved in Parkinson’s disease. This is why some Parkinson’s medications also help RLS.
Iron Deficiency
Low iron levels in the brain (even when blood iron levels appear normal) can trigger or worsen RLS symptoms. Iron plays a critical role in dopamine production.
Genetics
RLS often runs in families. If you have a close relative with RLS, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.
Treatment for RLS is personalized based on the severity of your symptoms, underlying causes, and how much the condition affects your daily life.
For mild RLS, these changes may provide significant relief:
If blood tests reveal low iron or ferritin levels, iron supplementation may significantly improve symptoms. This should only be done under medical supervision, as too much iron can be harmful.
For moderate to severe RLS, several medication classes may help:
Dr. Tovar-Torres will work with you to find the most effective treatment with the fewest side effects. Medication adjustments are common as we optimize your treatment plan.
If your RLS is related to iron deficiency, kidney disease, or another underlying condition, treating that condition often improves RLS symptoms.
Research shows that restless leg syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea frequently occur together. Studies suggest that 25-50% of people with RLS also have sleep apnea.
This connection matters because:
At Sleep Health & Wellness, we take a whole-patient approach. If you have symptoms of both RLS and sleep apnea (such as snoring, breathing pauses, or gasping at night), we may recommend a home sleep study to evaluate for both conditions.
Dr. Maria Tovar-Torres is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine, giving her specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex sleep disorders including RLS.
We don’t just treat symptoms — we look for underlying causes and related conditions to develop a complete treatment plan.
If a sleep study is needed, you can complete it in the comfort of your own bed rather than spending a night in a sleep lab.
RLS management often requires adjustments over time. We provide follow-up care to ensure your treatment continues working effectively.
We accept most major insurance plans including Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and United Healthcare. For more information about accepted insurance plans, view our Insurance and Payments page.
While RLS isn’t life-threatening, it can significantly impact your quality of life by disrupting sleep and causing daytime fatigue. Chronic sleep deprivation from untreated RLS is associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other health problems.
There’s no cure for primary RLS, but symptoms can be effectively managed with treatment. Some cases of secondary RLS (caused by iron deficiency, pregnancy, or medications) may resolve when the underlying cause is addressed.
Not necessarily. Some patients manage symptoms with lifestyle changes alone. For those who need medication, treatment plans are regularly reassessed, and some patients are able to reduce or discontinue medications over time.
