Restless Legs Syndrome
What is restless legs?
Restless legs syndrome (RLS, Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome, or often referred to as Nocturnal myoclonus) is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move legs in order to relieve an unpleasant sensations such as burning, creeping, tugging, or feeling like insects were crawling inside the legs. The sensations range in severity from uncomfortable to irritating to painful. These uncomfortable sensations in the body (usually in the legs) can also appear in the arms and torso. Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations and provides temporary relief.
The most distinctive aspect of the condition is that when an individual tries to relax, the symptoms are activated. This may cause an individual with RLS to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. If the condition is left untreated, it may cause exhaustion and daytime fatigue. People with RLS are often unable to concentrate. They may have impaired memory or fail to accomplish daily tasks. Many individuals with RLS report that the condition affects their job, personal relations, and activities of daily living.
RLS occurs in both men and women, although women are at a higher risk. The syndrome is usually developed in adults, although it is also possible to develop it early in infancy. Some physicians wrongly attribute the symptoms to nervousness, insomnia, stress, arthritis, muscle cramps, or aging.
Over 80% of people afflicted with RLS may also experience periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), which involves involuntary leg twitching or jerking movements during sleep. The symptoms cause repeated awakening and severely disrupted sleep.