Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs when at rest, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in the calves or feet. Patients may experience a creepy/crawly feeling, sometimes associated with an aching, tingling, or moderate burning pain in the legs prior to sleep and find relief by moving them. The unpleasant sensations may affect other body parts such as the arms.

RLS often goes misdiagnosed for many years as nervousness, stress, insomnia, or muscle cramps, while symptoms slowly worsen until they become debilitating. RLS affects approximately 10% of the adult population in the United States. It is more prevalent among women than men and can start at any age. RLS tends to run in families, with as many as 50% of cases suffering from genetically inherited RLS.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SUSPECT RLS?

If you answer yes to the following questions, you may have RLS and should consult aone of our providers to evaluate your symptoms, especially if they become severe.

1. Do you feel a strong urge to move your legs that may be associated with an ache or creepy, crawly sensation?

2. Are those sensations worse in the evening or at night at bedtime compared to other times of the day?

3. Are the restless leg symptoms worse when sitting inactive, such as in a movie theater or a passenger in a car?

4. Does walking, moving or stretching your legs at least partially relieve those sensations?

Causes 

RLS can also be caused by other medical conditions such as iron deficiency, kidney disease, and pregnancy. Additionally, RLS symptoms may be brought out or exacerbated by some medications such as tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antihistamines, decongestants, and anti-emetics (anti-nausea medications). More than 80 percent of patients with RLS also have periodic limb movements during sleep, characterized by involuntary limb movements or brief muscles twitches and upward dorsi-flexion of the foot, knee or hip during sleep. These limb movements are typically unknown to the patient but tend to disrupt sleep, leading to daytime sleepiness.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of RLS is primarily based on the patient’s history, followed by an examination to identify secondary causes such as iron deficiency anemia. Your may undergo testing to rule out an iron deficiency. You may want to keep a sleep diary to record your sleep quality or quantity as well as when your symptoms occur and their severity. If deemed necessary, you may be asked to undergo an overnight sleep study (polysomnogram) to rule out other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea that may worsen RLS.

Treatment 

Click here to learn more about RLS treatment options.