Q&A with Panel of Experts

Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, welcomes back Dr. J. Andrew Berkowski, a sleep specialist at ReLACS Health, a direct specialty care clinic specializing in telemedicine care of RLS and complex sleep disorders. This important discussion centers around the steps RLS patients should take to prepare for a hospital visit, as well as the intricacies of surgery in patients with RLS. Dr. Berkowski currently serves patients in Michigan, Ohio, Florida and Arizona. All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider. Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: J. Andrew Berkowski MD, ReLACS Health Produced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected].

This unique episode of RLS Unplugged features the Q&A session from the RLS Foundation’s annual Virtual Summit. The speakers answer audience-submitted questions, moderated by Dr. Shalini Paruthi, sleep medicine physician at John Cochran VA Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. This session includes presentations from:Dr. Christopher Earley at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical CenterDr. Katie Cederberg at Stanford UniversityDr. John Winkelman at Massachusetts General HospitalDr. William Ondo at Houston Methodist Neurological InstituteAnd Dr. Brian Koo at Yale Center for Sleep MedicineAll content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider. Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorProduced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected].

Dr. J. Andrew Berkowski – who was also featured in Season 1 of RLS Unplugged – joins us once again to discuss specific research related to buprenorphine for RLS. Dr. Berkowski is a sleep specialist at ReLACS Health, a direct specialty care clinic specializing in telemedicine care of RLS and complex sleep disorders and currently serves patients in Michigan, Ohio, Florida and Arizona. All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider. Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: J. Andrew Berkowski, MD, ReLACS Health Produced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected].

Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, is delighted to be joined by Dr. Mark Boulos, a sleep neurologist, associate professor and researcher in the division of neurology at the University of Toronto. In this episode, Dr. Boulos discusses important research, associations and clinical outcomes related to RLS and stroke. All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider. Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: Mark Boulos, MD, University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Produced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected]. 

In the next episode of RLS Unplugged, Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, welcomes Dr. Avinash Aggarwal, director of the RLS Quality Care Center at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Aggarwal provides an overview of the RLS Foundation’s Quality Care Center network, which are centers that have been rigorously reviewed and approved as centers offering expert RLS management. All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider. Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: Avinash Aggarwal, MD, University of PittsburghProduced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected]. 

In the first episode of season 2 of RLS Unplugged, Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, provides you with tips and tricks on how to educate your healthcare provider, to help you have more effective conversations with your treating-physician.This podcast is made possible thanks to support from Azurity Pharmaceuticals. These episodes make information easily accessible – even while you’re walking! All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider. Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorProduced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected]. 

In this episode of RLS Unplugged, Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, is joined by Dr. Andrew Berkowski, a board certified sleep specialist and neurologist. Dr. Berkowski is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group, and most recently serves as vice chair of the AASM’s Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force for the Treatment of RLS published in January 2025.In this episode, Dr. Berkowski breaks down 15 common myths and misconceptions associated with RLS. From old wives’ tales like soap under the sheets to misunderstandings in iron testing and other medical procedures - Dr. Berkowski separates fact from fiction. Tune in for a quick, myth-busting recap that brings clarity to this often-misunderstood condition.All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider.Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: Andrew J. Berkowski, MD, ReLACS HealthProduced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected].

In this episode of RLS Unplugged, Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, is joined by Dr. Mark Buchfuhrer, a certified RLS clinician at the RLS Quality Care Center at Stanford Sleep Medicine Center.In this episode, Dr. Buchfuhrer provides an overview of augmentation - a serious side effect of dopaminergic medications that can cause an increase in severity and intensity of RLS symptoms. This is an essential episode for everyone in the RLS community to listen to, offering the information needed to stay informed, proactive and empowered.All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider.Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: Mark Buchfuhrer, MD, Stanford Health Care-Stanford HospitalProduced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected].

In this episode of RLS Unplugged, Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, is joined by sleep expert and adjunct professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Shalini Paruthi. Dr. Paruthi explores some of the lifestyle changes and non-prescription therapies that may alleviate RLS symptoms, such as sleep architecture, exercise, diet, massage devices, cryotherapy and more. Drawing on her clinical experience and sleep research, Dr. Paruthi shares practical advice for navigating RLS in daily life and emphasizes the importance of individualized care. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or looking for alternative ways to manage symptoms alongside traditional treatments, this conversation offers helpful insights you won’t want to miss.All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider.Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: Shalini Paruthi, Saint Louis University School of MedicineProduced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected].

In the next episode of RLS Unplugged, Karla Dzienkowski, Executive Director of the RLS Foundation, is joined once again by Dr. William Ondo, RLS Quality Care Center Director at Houston Methodist. In this follow-up to episode 1, Dr. Ondo discusses common pharmacological treatments for RLS management. He breaks down current treatment approaches, potential side effects (including augmentation) and what patients might expect when exploring these options.If you’re looking to better understand how RLS is managed through medication, this episode is for you! Don’t forget to check out episode 1 of RLS Unplugged where Dr. Ondo provides an overview of RLS if you haven’t listened yet!All content offered in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Individuals suspecting they may have RLS should consult a qualified healthcare provider.Host: Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN, RLS Foundation Executive DirectorGuest speaker: William Ondo, MD, Houston Methodist Neurological InstituteProduced By: Frank Garza, Charge ProductionsExecutive Producer: Adrianna Colucci, RLS Foundation Communications CoordinatorThe RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that aims to improve the lives of those living with restless legs syndrome, a serious neurological disorder. RLS affects an estimated 10 million adults and 1.5 million children in the United States. For more resources including support groups, educational events or scientifically reviewed publications, visit the RLS Foundation website at www.rls.org.Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @RLSFoundationHave additional questions? Call the RLS Foundation at (512) 366-9109 or email [email protected].