Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome
Some of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome (RLS) may be vague or mimic symptoms of other medical conditions. Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms will help you identify restless leg syndrome. Keeping a log of symptoms and symptom triggers will help your doctor to diagnose if you have RLS or not. It will also help with developing a treatment plan. Symptoms of restless leg syndrome:
- Unusual itching, tingling, or crawling sensations-these sensations feel as thought they are deep in the legs. Some people will have these symptoms in their arms.
- Urge to move legs to relieve sensations-it is an intense, irresistible urge that feels almost uncontrollable.
- Restlessness when resting or attempting to sleep-causes rubbing of legs, pacing, constantly changing position in bed.
- Sensations occur mainly when sitting or lying down-during times of rest symptoms will flair up or increase.
- Activity causes sensations to decrease or go away getting up, walking around, movement will cause a change in symptoms.
- Periodic limb movement disorder-it’s the involuntary rhythmic, jerking movement of the limbs that occur during sleep.
Due to the symptoms of restless leg syndrome mainly occurring during times of rest, and when the sufferer is attempting to sleep, there are often sleep disruptions. This can carry over into daytime hours causing tiredness and fatigue. Symptoms of inadequate sleep are common among restless leg syndrome sufferers. Though the following symptoms may be common to those with RLS, the symptoms are primary to inadequate sleep, and secondary to restless leg syndrome.
- Tiredness
- Irritability
- Short tempered
- Stress intolerance
- Concentration difficulties
- Learning, social, and behavior problems
- Trouble with visual focus
- Appetite changes
- Non-specific discomfort
- Activity avoidance
- Lack of energy
When sleep has been disturbed for an extended time because of restless leg symptoms, it may appear irritability and the other changes are part of the sufferer’s personality. Shortly after symptoms are relieved with treatment and normal sleep patterns return, so will previous energy levels and tolerances to situations.
Symptoms may occur regularly and severely for a time and then temporarily disappear. Just as the cause is not known, it is not known why it will go away temporarily. It is also unknown why sometimes the symptoms are mild in some and severe in others.
Restless Leg Syndrome Home Remedy
Learn about different Restless Leg Syndrome Home Remedy.