Seeing people who can't stop moving their legs, even when sitting or even sleeping, is sometimes disturbing, even for those who observe them, and not just for the person who suffers from it.

You might think it's "a habit," "a bad habit," "a nervous tic"… but in reality, in many cases, it's a condition known as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Willis-Ekbom disease.

Photo: taken from the Facebook profile of the Havana Provincial Health Department

This urgent need to keep the legs moving is a neurological sensory-motor disorder that sometimes produces uncomfortable sensations in the extremities, primarily when sitting or lying down.

The disorder appears with some severity in 2-3% of the world's population, hence its high prevalence of around 10%. Approximately 90% of those who suffer from it are unaware of their syndrome.

The causes of this disease are diverse, although it’s usually attributed primarily to factors related to movement regulation, such as iron deficiency, anemia (due to poor oxygen delivery to the tissues), and alterations in the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Furthermore, it’s estimated that approximately 50% of cases have a genetic origin, with no associated diseases. However, the syndrome can appear as a secondary consequence of other pathologies.

The Infomed website expands on last year's publication in the journal Nature Genetics of a study led by a team of researchers from the Helmholtz Institute for Neurogenomics in Munich and the Institute for Human Genetics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), as well as from the University of Cambridge, this study has uncovered genetic clues associated with this syndrome, whose medical care is sometimes delayed by late diagnosis or ineffective treatment.

The aforementioned research indicates that RLS, by disrupting sleep, has a profound impact on the daily lives of those who suffer from it, affecting their overall health and quality of life.

This source also notes that RLS can be associated with other syndromes such as depression or anxiety, as well as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

Dr. Steven Bell of Cambridge University emphasizes that this study is the largest of its kind on the disorder and asserts that "by understanding the genetic basis of RLS, we hope to find better ways to control and treat it, which could improve the lives of the many millions of people affected worldwide."

For its part, the Havana Provincial Health Department's Facebook profile reported last year that the consequences of this condition included difficulty sleeping (RLS disrupts sleep and causes daytime fatigue), concentration problems (lack of sleep affects attention and memory), physical discomfort (a feeling of restlessness in the legs can cause muscle aches and cramps), and an increased risk of depression.

In addition to pharmacological treatments, which should only be prescribed by physicians during consultations, several medical entities recommend regular exercise to prevent RLS because physical activity helps improve circulation and reduce leg discomfort.

They also suggest maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco, which can worsen symptoms, and creating a relaxing sleeping environment.

This syndrome, still underdiagnosed, is so outstanding that a World Restless Legs Syndrome Day has even been established: September 23rd, an initiative promoted by associations of patients from around the world who suffer from it.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSi Translation Staff