Hi Rhonda,
I have gone through your presentation.
Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder involving nervous system, affecting movements of legs. It usually occurs in sleep, hence considered a sleep disorder. The cause is still unknown. RLS may be related to abnormalities in brain chemicals or to abnormalities in the part of the central nervous system that controls automatic movements. RLS can also be due to anaemia or peripheral neuropathy.
Investigations like blood test, nerve conduction studies can be performed, on prescription of a neurologist. Medicine for other underlying conditions can be started.
Dear Rhonda,
I am in my 50s and I also have RLS. This same website has a forum for those people under "Sleep," I think, and also there's a forum and lots of info at www.rls.org.
As for your question about the cause of the problem, whether it's neurological or not, I can tell you from everything I've learned, articles written, books, that no one knows what causes it for certain. As you know, originally they labeled it "sleep disorder," which is incorrect, as RLS does not come from sleep problems, rather it's the other way around. As for neurological causes, nerve medicines do not stop RLS, so that may not be the simple answer. Some have written it has to do with a brain mechanism. I personally think it is a muscular disorder. But no one knows.
GG