That maddening urge to move your legs the moment you settle in for the night affects up to 10 percent of the population. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a disorder of the nervous system that triggers an uncomfortable, often irresistible need to move the legs or arms. Because flare-ups so often strike at bedtime, RLS is also classified as a sleep disorder, robbing sufferers of quality rest and chipping away at their overall well-being. The good news? Many cases of RLS are linked to underlying vein disease, which means real, lasting relief is within reach.
At Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa, patients are cared for by board-certified surgeon and ABVLM-certified vein specialist Dr. Surya Challa. With training at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn and a research fellowship in surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Challa has been recognized in the “Guide to America’s Top Surgeons” and Strathmore’s “Who’s Who Worldwide Honors.” Since 2007, he has personally led every consultation and procedure at our Chesapeake practice, giving patients direct access to a true vein expert, not a medical director in name only.
What Is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease, RLS is a neurological condition that creates strange, hard-to-describe sensations in the limbs. Patients often say it feels antsy, creepy, crawling, throbbing, or like something is pulling deep inside the leg. While the legs are most commonly affected, the arms can be involved as well. Symptoms typically worsen during periods of rest and ease, at least temporarily, with movement.
Common Symptoms of RLS
RLS shows up differently for everyone, but most patients report a familiar set of warning signs:
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Antsy, achy, throbbing, pulling, creeping, or crawling sensations in the legs or arms that cause an irresistible urge to move
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Worse symptoms while at rest, especially when lying down at night or sitting for long periods
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Temporary relief when walking, stretching, or moving the affected limbs
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Disrupted sleep, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating
What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but research points to imbalances in dopamine, low iron levels, and underlying circulation problems. One of the most overlooked culprits is venous insufficiency, a condition in which damaged valves in the leg veins allow blood to pool rather than return properly to the heart. This pooling can trigger the very sensations that define RLS, which is why a vein evaluation is such an important step in any treatment plan.
How RLS Is Diagnosed and Treated
After visiting your primary care physician, a consultation with venous disease specialist Dr. Challa should be part of your diagnostic and treatment plan. If varicose veins or venous insufficiency are contributing to your symptoms, Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa offers several proven, minimally invasive therapies, including sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, and ambulatory phlebectomy. Additional options for managing RLS may include iron supplementation, prescription medications that influence dopamine or calcium channels, and natural approaches such as exercise, warm baths, massage, yoga, and consistent sleep habits.
Why Choose Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa?
When you choose Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa, you are choosing a practice where the medical director is the provider. Dr. Surya Challa personally evaluates each patient, performs the procedures, and oversees follow-up care, an important distinction from medical spas that are merely “associated” with a physician. As a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and member of the American College of Phlebology, Dr. Challa brings nearly two decades of specialized vein experience to every visit. Our Chesapeake office also offers comprehensive vein care and medspa services under one roof, so you can address your health and aesthetic goals in one trusted location.
Schedule Your RLS Consultation Today
You don’t have to keep losing sleep, or quality of life, to Restless Leg Syndrome. Contact Chesapeake Vein Center and MedSpa today at 757-819-7633 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Surya Challa and take the first step toward calmer, more restful nights.
