Restless legs syndrome
(RLS)
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition in
which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while
you're sitting or lying down. The condition usually
makes you feel like getting up and moving around. In
doing so, the unpleasant feeling goes away.
The disorder affects both sexes,
can begin at any age and may worsen as you get
older. Restless legs syndrome can disrupt sleep -
leading to daytime drowsiness - and make traveling
difficult.
A number of simple self-care steps and lifestyle
changes may benefit you. Medications also help many
people with restless legs syndrome.
Screening and diagnosis
Some people with RLS never seek medical attention because they worry
that their symptoms are too difficult to describe or won't be taken
seriously. Some doctors wrongly attribute symptoms to nervousness,
stress, insomnia or muscle cramps. But restless legs syndrome has
received more media attention and focus from the medical community in
recent years, making more people aware of the condition.
If you think you may have RLS, consult your family doctor. Doctors
diagnose RLS by listening to your description of your symptoms and by
reviewing your medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions such
as:
-
Do you experience
unpleasant or creepy, crawly sensations in your legs, tied to a
strong urge to move?
-
Does
movement help relieve the sensations?
-
Are you more
bothered by these sensations after sitting or at night?
-
Do you often have
trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?
-
Have you been told
that you jerk your legs, or your arms, when asleep?
-
Is anyone else in
your family bothered by restless legs?
There's no blood or lab test specifically for the diagnosis of RLS. Your
answers help your doctor clarify whether you have RLS or whether testing
is needed to rule out other conditions that may explain your symptoms.
Blood tests or muscle or nerve studies may be necessary to pinpoint a
diagnosis.
Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist for additional
evaluation. This may require that you stay overnight at a sleep clinic,
where doctors can study your sleep habits closely and check for leg
twitching (periodic limb movements) during sleep — a possible sign of
restless legs syndrome. However, a diagnosis of RLS usually doesn't
require a sleep study.
Restless
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