After I'm busy all day with work, spending time with my family, and everything else, it's such a relief for my body and mind to snuggle down and fall asleep in my big comfy bed. For other people though, sleeping is a real challenge. It's not because their minds are reeling; it has to do with how their body reacts to the physical sensation of lying down. The disorder is known as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and it affects 10 percent of Americans.

To say the feeling is unpleasant would be an understatement. People suffering from RLS describe it as mild shocks of electricity down their legs, ants crawling on their skin, or bubbly soda pulsing through their veins. They have this unexplainable urge to move, to kick, and to get up and walk around in order to relieve their discomfort. These feelings can last all night making sleep impossible, so that's why it's known as a sleep disorder, but these sensations can also arise after long periods of inactivity such as sitting at a desk or in a plane.

To hear more about RLS read more.

Restless Legs Syndrome seems like a physical problem, but it's actually a neurological disorder. Experts aren't sure what causes it, but they suspect it could be genetic. Or the condition may be caused by low levels of iron in the brain, which affect the ability of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, to do its job transmitting messages between nerve cells. Whatever the cause, unfortunately RLS symptoms tend to change and worsen over time. There are definitely some effective treatment options though, the most common being medication, since 95 percent of its users can get relief 95 percent of the time.

Fit's Tip: Talk to your doctor if you're experiencing any of these symptoms. There's no reason anything should keep you from a good night's sleep.

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