Have you

ever experienced involuntary leg movements or what could

only be called, "spasmodic jerking"?

Do these

symptoms typically come during restful periods or as

you're trying to go to sleep? If so, you may have what is

known as restless leg syndrome.

RLS is a

neurological disorder that affects nearly 15 percent of

all Americans, according to the Restless Legs Syndrome

Foundation.

Doctors

have known about RLS for more than 50 years, but it has

been mischaracterized as a psychological aberration.

Although the underlying cause is unknown, it is believed

to stem from a lack of dopamine, a chemical that helps

transmit signals to the brain, according to foundation

literature.

Besides

involuntary leg movements, sufferers of RLS also complain

of a "creepy crawly" sensation in the legs. Dr.

Marvin Lipman, chief medical advisor to Consumers Unions,

believes that RLS symptoms can be relieved by drugs that

compensate for the dopamine deficit.

There are

two types of drugs that can help; dopamine boosters like

Sinemet or dopamine receptor agonists such as Permax or

Mirapex. There are side effects on both sides. Boosters

can sometimes cause the sympoms to show up earlier in the

day or in a different part of the body, while agonists

may cause vomiting, headaches and nausea.

Lipman

explains that doctors have found other disorders that may

trigger RLS symptoms. "When problems such as iron or

vitamin B-12 deficiency, diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis

are treated, RLS symptoms may improve or disappear,"

he said.

There is

much that is still not known about RLS, but if you are

experiencing similar symptoms, you should contact your

physician. There is also free information available at

1-877-INFO-RLS or on the web at www.rls.org .