Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome is a disorder characterized by disagreeable leg sensations, usually prior to sleep onset, that cause an almost irresistible urge to move the legs.
What Does Restless Legs Feel Like?
RLS sufferers say it feels like:
- A "crawling" sensation
- A "creeping" inside the calves
- Aches and pains in the legs
- An urge to constantly move the legs
What Relieves the Symptoms?
The only thing that seems to relieve the discomfort is to move the legs, stretching them or getting up and walking around on them. Unfortunately, this interrupts the sleep cycle, so people with RLS are often very tired from lack of sleep.
What Can Be Done to Help RLS Sufferers Sleep?
A sleep study (polysomnogram) is done to determine the cause of sleepiness. Once RLS has been diagnosed, medication can be prescribed to relieve the symptoms.