Restless Leg Syndrome, also known as Willis–Ekbom disease (WED), is a disorder that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs. These sensations can be stopped when the person moves, but the condition can plague them once they stop moving. This condition primarily occurs when the person is resting or sleeping, and it can affect the quality of the patient’s sleep.
This condition is common in the elderly or women, especially women that are pregnant. It can develop in anyone, and even manifest in children. Most cases of RLS are genetic, but many reported cases have been caused by medications or other diseases. Other risk factors include diseases like Parkinson’s and diabetes.
Restless Leg Syndrome can be treated with sleep aides, minerals, and medications. This condition is often misdiagnosed, which can lead to troubles during treatment.
Because of the nature of this condition, it can also cause other side effects. Irritability, sleepiness, and depression may occur in those suffering from RLS. These effects are not symptoms in their own right, but they can be directly caused by RLS. Treatment for RLS should alleviate those side effects as well.
If you believe you or a loved one may be suffering from this syndrome, schedule an appointment with a doctor or sleep specialist to discuss treatment options.
1. Leg Pain
One of the main signs of this condition is leg pain, especially in severe cases. While mild cases may just result in mild irritation, itching, or an urge to stretch, severe cases of RLS can manifest as mild to moderate pain in the legs. This can usually be solved with stretching, scratching, or movement of the legs. This need for constant stimulation and movement can disturb sleep and encourage restlessness.
The severity of the pain can vary from twinges to a deep muscle ache. Leg massages are recommended before bed to work out existing tension, but additional methods can be used to reduce pain during sleep. During the day, it is recommended that patients walk around or massage their legs to reduce irritation and pain. For people that work sedentary jobs, a doctor may recommend medication or proper stretching in the morning. Stretching and yoga can reduce the likelihood of muscle pain or cramping.
2. Difficulty Falling Asleep
One of the primary symptoms with this condition is a difficulty falling asleep. Because RLS manifests as insistent desire to keep moving, a patient may become irritated in bed. They may need to scratch, stretch, or move their legs to alleviate pain or irritation. This can become problematic when it comes time to sleep.
The constant pain and irritation can make it difficult to fall asleep, and the need to scratch and stretch can aggravate this further. They may not fall asleep for hours, and the sleep they do get can be unfulfilling and restless. Without treatment, this can persist or worsen.
3. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Because of the lack of proper sleep, people suffering from RLS may experience excessive daytime sleepiness. They may fall asleep at work or school, feel drowsy through the day, or have trouble focusing. This can disrupt their schoolwork or jobs, and even cause accidents that can harm their health.
While drinking coffee or taking caffeine can reduce this drowsiness, excessive daytime sleepiness can make the person feel fatigued, irritable, or depressed. These symptoms can be mistaken for a depressive disorder, but they are just side effects of RLS. Misdiagnosis can lead to improper medications and the prescription of necessary medications.
4. Sleep Deprivation
Along with trouble falling asleep and sleepiness, patients with Restless Leg Syndrome may experience sleep deprivation. Insidious in its own right, sleep deprivation can lead to a number of other conditions and health issues if left untreated. A serious lack of sleep may manifest as fatigue, clumsiness, and lowered brain function.
Sleep deprivation can result in issues with memory and cognitive function. A person suffering from this symptom may forget words and important details, and they may even have lapses in attention where they simply ‘space out’. This can have devastating results, especially if the patient in question drives or works with large machinery.
5. Sleep Disturbances
With the need for constant movement and stimulation, a person with Restless Leg Syndrome may experience sleep disturbances. They may wake up in the night with the need to move, scratch, or stretch, and they may have issues falling into deep sleep. This can reduce the efficacy of their sleep and result in sleep deprivation or sleepiness.
They can wake up repeatedly throughout the night, followed by periods of activity and possible insomnia. A patient may also wake up and drowsily scratch/stretch their legs, only to fall back asleep shortly afterwards. Regardless, this constant activity prevents them from reaching the lower registers of sleep.
6. Fatigue
Fatigue is commonly reported in cases of RLS. Caused by a lack of proper sleep, fatigue is characterized as a deep tiredness and exhaustion. The person may feel weak, lethargic, or depressed, and the feeling may not be solved by rest or sleep. They may have trouble paying attention, and they will generally feel less enthusiastic about physical or mental activity.
A fatigued person might want to sleep more, but Restless Leg Syndrome may prevent them from doing so. In these cases, sleep aides may help them achieve sleep, but it may not be restful. They may still feel tired and fatigued after they wake up, which can result in irritability and stress.
7. Restlessness
If a patient with Restless Leg Syndrome is not getting proper sleep, they may experience restlessness. They may want to keep moving and busy themselves with menial tasks. Restlessness may also manifest as nervous tics like jiggling their knee, tapping their foot, or constant shifting. They might be unable to stand still, and they may appear anxious or bored.
While Restless Leg Syndrome primarily affects the legs, a person suffering from this syndrome may just feel restless overall. They may keep moving to prevent pain or irritation in the legs, and distracting themselves from the condition may alleviate their symptoms.
8. Leg Cramps
Due to the constant movement and nerve issues associated with RLS, leg cramps are frequently reported. Actions like leg-shaking and foot-tapping can result in cramps and muscle aches that can disturb a patient further. While cramps may not occur as often as general irritation and tingling, they are more common in people with Restless Leg Syndrome.
Leg cramps may be worked out with massages or heat compresses, but the pain can disturb sleep if they occur at night. Muscle relaxers can help with this issue, but it is recommended that the person find treatment for RLS first. Treating the overall issue may be more effective than spot-checking symptoms.
9. Urge to Move
A constant urge to move is a widely reported sign of RLS. The person in question will move often, and they may jiggle their knees or stretch/unstretch their legs while sitting. They will feel more comfortable while walking, and they may shift their weight from foot to foot while standing. While laying or sitting still, they may experience leg pain, tingling, or general irritation.
They need to be in a constant state of action to feel comfortable, which can make them appear jittery to others. These tics and absentminded movements can be mistaken for anxiety or nervousness, but they are just a way to alleviate tingling/pain in the legs.
10. Tingling
A common sign of Restless Leg Syndrome is tingling in the legs. This tingling can make the patient scratch, stretch, or move their legs. It can stop completely once the afflicted person begins moving, so they may not notice the tingling until they sit down or go to bed. Constant movement can result in muscle aches, where frequent scratching can cause dry skin and injuries to the skin.
The tingling may be mild, or it may escalate to feel like static in the legs. This is likely caused by a nerve issue, although the specific details and cause of this symptom is unknown. The tingling can be alleviated with vibrating pads or massages.
