September 18, 2019

HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON
of Colorado
in the House of Representatives

Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 150

MR. TIPTON: Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the millions of patients from across the country suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome, to raise awareness of this severely misunderstood neurological disease.

RLS is a serious neurological disease that devastates the lives of millions of Americans. An estimated 12 million men, women and children in the U.S. have RLS. Patients with RLS experience an overwhelming, agitating and uncontrollable urge to move their legs, which can only be relieved by moving or walking to abate the sensation. RLS is at its strongest in the evening and nighttime hours, severely disrupting sleep. Treatment is life-long, and there is no cure.

The sleep loss caused by RLS robs people of the ability to work and live normally and may lead to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Profound sleep loss also puts people with RLS at risk for hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

I ask my colleagues to join me in working to raise awareness of this devastating disease by recognizing September 23rd as RLS Awareness Day.