Restless Legs Syndrome is a common disturbance that usually goes untreated in most people. Identifying and treating Restless Legs Syndrome has improved drastically over the last ten years.
RLS is characterized by uncomfortable, restless sensations in the legs or feet while lying in bed at night before going to sleep. A person with these sensations obtains brief relief by movement of the extremities, and will shift their legs frequently while trying to fall asleep. Once asleep, almost everyone with RLS will have brief movements of their legs, each lasting 1 to 5 seconds and occurring about every 20 to 40 seconds. These movements, called Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep, do not necessarily occur all night long but rather during various periods throughout the night.
The leg twitches may range from very mild muscle contractions to larger kicking movements. Nonetheless, the periodic pattern of these movements is the diagnostic feature that makes this phenomenon unique.
RLS may also cause Insomnia. The affected individual may take hours to fall asleep, frequently tossing and turning to relieve the restless sensations. In some cases the person may even get out of bed to pace the floors in order to settle down the restless sensations.
The cause for RLS in most patients is unknown. Studies recently published have demonstrated that in some people it may be inherited. Symptoms may also be worsened by stimulants, such as caffeine.
There are many treatments for this condition. In the past patients were given sedative medications so they would "sleep through" their symptoms. Now there are more specific treatments that eliminate the restless sensations and decrease or eliminate the leg movements during sleep as well.