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Restless Legs Syndrome

Description

Restless legs syndrome is a disorder associated with an uncomfortable feeling in the legs during the onset of sleep, causing the sufferer to move his or her legs. The most noticeable feature of this disorder is the feeling of relief while the legs are in motion and the return of the uncomfortable sensation once leg movement stops.
This disorder may also be associated with pregnancy, anemia or uremia, and has been diagnosed in approximately 15% of the population.

Diagnosis

This disorder is diagnosed in patients complaining of an uncomfortable feeling in their legs and a consequent inability to fall asleep. The discomfort is relieved only by movement of the legs. Patients do not have another medical or psychological disorder that these movements can be attributed to. Other sleep disorders may be present but cannot be the source of the movements.

Treatment

Those with mild symptoms are encouraged to practice proper sleep hygiene which includes avoiding alcohol and caffeine, getting daily exercise and maintaining a normal time to sleep and wake-up. More serious cases may require medication which can include ropinirole, benzodiazepines and opiates.

Source: Adapted from International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic & Coding Manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.