DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I would like to know more about restless leg syndrome. — I.J.

ANSWER: Roughly 7 percent of women and 3 percent of men suffer from restless leg syndrome. That gives you a lot of fellow sufferers. People describe it in many ways. Some say it’s an aching in their legs. Others describe it as a creeping-crawling sensation. No matter how people express the feeling, it makes them get up and move around. Activity lessens or gets rid of the sensations, but they can and do come back. They usually appear in the evening or at night when people are sitting or when they get into bed.

No one is sure what causes the syndrome. Things that lessen its intensity and frequency are cutting back on caffeine, stopping smoking and exercising daily. Eliminating alcohol is a most helpful remedy.

Sometimes restless leg syndrome is associated with iron deficiency and the anemia due to iron deficiency. Your doctor will want to check you for that.

Pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip), both drugs for Parkinson’s disease, are used for this syndrome, even though it has no relationship to Parkinson’s disease. They stimulate certain brain areas that control movement. Levodopa, another Parkinson’s medicine, also is prescribed. There are others, should these fail.

Periodic limb movements of sleep is another condition that frequently occurs along with restless leg syndrome. It’s involuntary movements of the legs and feet during sleep. The kicking and jerking last about two seconds and recur every 20 to 40 seconds. Often the affected person is unaware of them. The bed partner plays a nighttime role of being a drop-kicked football and is quite aware of what’s happening. The affected person is quite tired during the day. The same medicines used for restless leg syndrome can be used here, too. Daily exercise might put an end to the nocturnal movements.

The booklet on restless leg syndrome and nighttime leg cramps explains both conditions. To obtain a copy, write to: Dr. Donohue — No. 306, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My 12-year-old son has large breasts, like a woman’s. In other respects he looks like a 16-year-old. He’s tall and wears a size 11 shoe. What has caused his breasts to be like they are? — M.C.

ANSWER: Your son is going through puberty. Two-thirds of boys experience breast enlargement during puberty. It’s normal. The enlargement for some boys might not be as great as your son’s, however. It comes from a temporary imbalance of male and female hormones. It’s not a lasting thing, for most. Some see a regression in a matter of months, while others might have to wait for two years. The condition is gynecomastia.

If this causes your son great embarrassment and makes life miserable for him, speak to the family doctor. Removing the breast tissue ends the problem. Surgery isn’t extensive and doesn’t require a long healing period.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I read that if a woman’s waist is greater than 35 inches, she has a dangerous amount of visceral fat. The measurement is to be taken at the navel. I don’t think many adult women have this size waist. — S.C.

ANSWER: You’ve got it right. A woman’s waist should not be greater than 35 inches (88 cm), and a man’s not greater than 40 inches (102 cm). If you think those are strict numbers, other official groups have lower desirable measurements.

Exceeding these norms is an indication of too much visceral fat, the fat that surrounds inner organs and manufactures potentially unhealthy products. It also is a sign of the metabolic syndrome, something linked to heart disease. The other factors in the syndrome are high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), increased blood pressure and a fasting blood sugar equal to or higher than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L).

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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