Restless legs syndrome is when the person have strong urge of moving his/her legs. It is hard to resist. It may come with uneasy feeling deep inside the person’s legs. It can be very hard to explain this strange feeling. It might feel like burning, tingling, itching or prickling. It can be very extreme and painful. Sitting still can also be very hard. The person can feel temporary but immediate relief on walking or moving the legs.

The urge of moving your legs eases in the morning and grows at night. This makes a person unable sleep or take a rest and may get a sleep of even less than 5 hours. Mild RLS do not disturb sleep that much. People suffering from this may feel tired or lack of energy. They may even suffer from anxiety or depression. This problem can come for a short period and then return after a long while. It starts from legs and then can spread to the whole body. Its intensity can vary day to day. This attack can come at any time, while driving or while working at the office, anywhere. A related problem that a person can get effected to is of flexing or tightening of leg’s muscles while the person is still and are not controllable too. As this can occur while a person is awake so it makes it even harder for the person to go asleep. Almost 90% of the patients affected by RLS are also affected by PLMS.

Chances of women getting effected with this problem is more than of men. As like PLMS this can also occur to any age group. This can be result of the following conditions:-

• Pregnancy
• Iron deficiency
• End- stage renal disease
• Due to some medication

This disease has genetic links like if your blood relative has this problem then your chances of getting affected by it grows to 3 to 6 times. It has following symptoms:-

• Urge to moving legs
• This urges more when doing rest.
• Your legs feeling better when moving.
• You feeling worse during night or evening.

If this is true then the person might be suffering from RLS. But it can be also due to the following reasons:

• A medical condition
• Another sleep disorder
• Substance abuse
• A mental health disorder
• Medication use

If a person is suffering from mild Restless Legs Syndrome then that person might not feel like taking experts help but if that person is suffering from severe RLS then that person has to go to a sleep specialist as it can greatly disturb your sleep and hence your mind and daily schedule.

It is treated by an exercise program that may help both restless legs. Reducing smoking, alcohol and caffeinated drinks may also help. This can also be reduced by keeping mind active. When restless legs, any of the following activities may help:

• Walking
• Riding an exercise bike
• Massaging the legs
• Soaking in a hot tub

Medications can also be opted for the treatment.

Share This