Restless leg syndrome, commonly called RLS, is a disorder involving part of the nervous system that affects movements of the legs. It is also considered a sleep disorder because the uncomfortable symptoms interfere with sleep.  While RLS does not present an immediate health concern, it does interfere with sleep, and the resulting fatigue over the long-term may negatively affect the health of the sufferer.

People that suffer from RLS describe the feelings and sensations in different ways. Many describe aching of the legs, tingling, or prickly sensations. Still others say it feels as if they have worms crawling under their skin. RLS symptoms include an uncontrollable urge to move the lower legs, knees and occasionally the arms.

These sensations can occur anytime during the day or night when a person is not moving. When restless leg syndrome occurs at night, it can cause the sufferer to toss and turn or get in and out of bed repeatedly, which can impede sleep and disturb the quality of your sleep. People afflicted with RLS also reported noticing that they unconsciously move their legs as well. Since sleep in repeatedly interrupted, extreme daytime sleepiness is common among RLS sufferers.

The disorder afflicts more than 15% of adults and affects more women than men. The incidence of restless leg syndrome increases with age. People of middle age and older tend to have more severe symptoms.  While somewhat unknown, children and young people do develop symptoms – more commonly when there is family history of the disorder. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis and varicose veins, also increase the risk of developing restless leg syndrome.

The combination of always feeling tired and the symptoms themselves can cause a person with restless leg syndrome to alter their lifestyle, such as avoiding long trips, movies, concerts and eating in restaurants, and other activities involving a long period of sitting still. Attending a long meeting at work can become very painful and uncomfortable. People with the RLS sleep disorder often also suffer from stress, anxiety and bouts of depression as a result of the sleeplessness, curtailment of activities, and lifestyle change.

Restless Leg Syndrome Diagnosis

RLS can be difficulty to diagnose. Most often, people do not visit the doctor when they are having symptoms, or if they do the appointment will be during the day when symptoms are mild or non-existent.  Also, the doctor is often not told about the symptoms directly, or at the initial office visit.  Unfortunately, RLS is often initially misdiagnosed as insomnia, stress, muscle cramps or arthritis.

Restless leg syndrome cannot be diagnosed by one single test. Often standard physical exams are not useful for diagnosis but can help in finding a secondary cause for the symptoms.  Before a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome can be made, a doctor will ask questions about symptoms and look for other possible reasons to explain the symptoms.

The doctor will also take into account family history, and the results of a routine medical examination and blood tests. It is important than the doctor, when doing an examination, ask general sleep and/or RLS related questions. Doctors feel genetics play a definite part in the disorder.  If family members have a history of RLS, see what has worked for them and what their worst symptoms have been.  Not only will this help you, but also your doctor when it comes time to make the diagnoses and subsequently treatment.

In more difficult to diagnoses cases, a sleep study may be done to help diagnose the severity of RLS and how it is affecting the everyday life or the individual.

When it comes to children and restless leg syndrome, the diagnosis takes on a new challenge.  Children cannot always put into words the feelings they are having in their legs and will be misdiagnosed just as adults.  What is important when having children checked for possible RLS, is have a family history available, monitor when the child complains of pain or discomfort in the legs.  This information will go a long way in helping the doctor make the correct diagnosis.

Treatment of RLS

It is true diagnosis is most important, after that treatment becomes the focus.  Treatments, however, are as varied as they people seeking them. Many times the treatment for restless leg syndrome is aimed at controlling the debilitating sensations that accompany this sleep disorder. There are medications available that have been approved for people with RLS; two of the top medications are Requip and Mirapex. These drugs could include dopamine agents, benzodiazepines, opioids or anticonvulsants. Medications do not cure restless leg syndrome, but they manage the symptoms. People that suffer from this sleep disorder usually have to stay on their medications for the rest of their lives.

In addition to prescription drugs, there are many home remedies, alternative medicine practices and natural ways to relieve the symptoms and discomfort that are part of RLS. Often iron supplements are prescribed because severe anemia has been linked to this disorder. Relaxation techniques, diet changes and the elimination of caffeine and alcohol help some sufferers of restless leg syndrome. When symptoms do occur at night or at times of rest, applying a heating pad, or for some ice packs, or soaking in a hot bath will often relax the legs and help with sleep.

Another sleep disorder similar to restless leg syndrome is periodic limb movement disorder known as PLMD. RLS and PLMD show similar symptoms of twitching, and/or jerking of the legs or arms when resting, causing sleeplessness.  The major differences between the two are that restless leg syndrome occurs when the sufferer is awake or asleep and the movements are voluntary responses to very unpleasant sensations, while periodic limb movement disorder only occurs when the sufferer is asleep, and the movements are involuntary and are not consciously controlled. Both of these sleep disorders can be effectively controlled with medical treatment. PLMD does not necessarily lead to RLS, but for some it may be the beginning of RLS.

As with most health issues, it is important to check with your doctor as to what the best treatment will be for you or your child.  Whether using medication or other relief plans be sure they are safe and are right for you.  Using plans that were specified for others as a way to avoid seeing a doctor may cause more problems.  Check with your doctor and talk with him about your symptoms.  Then work with him on a plan for your RLS and comfort.

Read About The Other Forms of Sleep Disorders:

Sleep Eating Disorder
Sleepwalking
Night Terrors
Sleep Talking
Snoring Problems
Sleep Attack
Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Insomnia
Sleep Apnea