Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
According to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, up to 8% of the US population may suffer from RLS. Other researchers estimate that RLS affects as many as 12 million Americans. Prevalence is difficult to pinpoint because the syndrome is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. Often,  patients are not diagnosed until 10-20 years after symptom onset.

RLS is characterized by unpleasant sensations (known as dysesthesias) in the legs.  Individuals affected with the disorder describe the sensations as burning, creeping, tugging, or like insects crawling inside the legs. These sensations usually occur during periods of inactivity and are accompanied by an overwhelming urge to move the legs. Movement provides temporary relief from the discomfort.