September 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 150 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING RLS AWARENESS DAY

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                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2019

  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.

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