Diseases & Conditions

Restless legs syndrome on the radar

As scientists better understand this once-perplexing disorder — which disproportionately strikes women — treatment approaches are shifting.

  • Reviewed by Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
photo of a mature woman sitting on a bed with one leg drawn up and a hand resting on the ankle

Dr. John Winkelman used to refer to restless legs syndrome (RLS) as the Rodney Dangerfield of medicine — since, as the late comedian famously claimed about himself, the disorder "got no respect."

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About the Author

photo of Maureen Salamon

Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch

Maureen Salamon is executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and later covered health and medicine for a wide variety of websites, magazines, and hospitals. Her work has … See Full Bio
View all posts by Maureen Salamon

About the Reviewer

photo of Toni Golen, MD

Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor

Dr. Toni Golen is a physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, practicing in Boston. Dr. Golen completed her residency training at George Washington University Medical Center in 1995, and is an associate professor at Harvard Medical … See Full Bio
View all posts by Toni Golen, MD

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