Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day

Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day is observed annually on 23 September.

The day raises awareness of restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations.

It promotes greater understanding, diagnosis, treatment and support for people affected by RLS.

Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day

Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day is observed annually on 23 September to raise awareness of restless legs syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder that can significantly affect sleep, health and everyday life.

The observance promotes greater understanding of the condition, encourages appropriate diagnosis and treatment, supports people living with RLS and highlights the importance of continued medical research.

History of Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day

The history of Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day is closely associated with Karl-Axel Ekbom, a Swedish neurologist who made major contributions to the modern medical understanding of the condition.

Ekbom published detailed clinical descriptions of restless legs syndrome during the 1940s and helped establish it as a distinct medical condition. The name Ekbom syndrome has consequently also been associated with RLS.

The date 23 September was selected because it marks the birthday of Karl-Axel Ekbom. Patient organizations in both North America and Europe have used the date to promote international awareness of the disorder.

In 2012, the Willis-Ekbom Disease Foundation, now known as the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, joined researchers and patient organizations in efforts to establish an international awareness campaign for RLS. The Foundation subsequently promoted 23 September as an international awareness day dedicated to the condition.

The observance has since been used by patient organizations, healthcare professionals and advocates to improve public understanding of RLS and its effects.

Who Was Karl-Axel Ekbom?

Karl-Axel Ekbom was a Swedish neurologist whose research played an important role in defining restless legs syndrome in modern medicine.

Although descriptions of symptoms resembling RLS appeared centuries earlier, Ekbom systematically studied the disorder and published influential clinical observations during the 1940s. His work helped establish its characteristic symptoms and distinguish it from other neurological conditions.

His contribution became so closely associated with the disorder that RLS has sometimes been referred to as Ekbom syndrome. The alternative term Willis-Ekbom disease has also been used in recognition of both Ekbom and the earlier observations of English physician Thomas Willis.

The selection of Ekbom's birthday, 23 September, for RLS Awareness Day therefore connects the modern awareness campaign with the medical history of the condition.

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by a strong or irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by uncomfortable or unusual sensations.

Symptoms typically begin or become worse during periods of rest, such as when a person is sitting or lying down. Movement, including walking or stretching, may temporarily relieve the symptoms.

RLS symptoms commonly become more noticeable during the evening or at night. As a result, the condition can interfere with falling asleep and maintaining healthy sleep.

The severity of RLS varies considerably. Some people experience occasional mild symptoms, while others have frequent symptoms that substantially affect sleep and quality of life.

How Common Is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome affects millions of people worldwide, but estimates of its prevalence vary depending on the population studied and the diagnostic criteria used.

Studies of adults in the United States and other populations have often reported RLS symptoms in roughly 7–10% of adults, while the proportion experiencing moderate-to-severe symptoms requiring medical attention is considerably smaller.

Because prevalence estimates differ between studies, age groups and diagnostic definitions, RLS should not be described using a single universal prevalence figure.

Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

The defining feature of RLS is an urge to move the legs. People may also describe sensations such as tingling, crawling, pulling, aching, itching or other forms of discomfort.

A characteristic pattern is that symptoms become worse during inactivity, improve temporarily with movement and are generally more pronounced in the evening or at night.

For people with more severe RLS, repeated sleep disruption can contribute to daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating and reduced quality of life.

Causes and Associated Conditions

The exact cause of restless legs syndrome is not fully understood. Research has identified associations involving brain iron regulation and dopamine-related neurological pathways.

RLS can occur without another identifiable medical condition, but it may also be associated with factors or conditions including iron deficiency, pregnancy and certain chronic diseases.

Genetic factors can also play a role, particularly in people who develop symptoms earlier in life.

Because several conditions and medications can produce or worsen similar symptoms, medical assessment can be important for determining an appropriate diagnosis and treatment strategy.

Significance of Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day

Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day helps draw attention to a disorder that may be misunderstood, overlooked or dismissed as ordinary restlessness.

Greater awareness can help people recognize characteristic symptoms and seek appropriate medical evaluation. It can also improve understanding among families, healthcare professionals and the wider public about the effects RLS can have on sleep and daily functioning.

The observance additionally provides an opportunity for researchers and patient organizations to share information about diagnosis, treatment, ongoing research and support resources.

Why Is Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day Observed on 23 September?

Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day is observed on 23 September because it is the birthday of Karl-Axel Ekbom, whose research was fundamental to the modern clinical description of RLS.

European patient organizations have also highlighted the connection between the awareness date and Ekbom, giving the observance an international historical context beyond individual national campaigns.

The date therefore honours an important figure in the medical history of RLS while providing a focal point for worldwide awareness activities.

Purpose of Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day

The primary purpose of Restless Legs Syndrome Awareness Day is to improve public and medical understanding of RLS.

The observance encourages recognition of symptoms, appropriate diagnosis and treatment, greater support for people affected by the condition and continued scientific investigation into its causes and management.

Through awareness campaigns, educational activities and patient advocacy, organizations including the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation continue to use 23 September to bring greater attention to RLS and its impact on millions of people around the world.