ANCSLEEP BLOG

Overview of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Posted by Tyler Britton on Aug 10, 2021 2:13:00 PM

Overview of restless leg syndrome

What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder caused by the nervous system, and is characterized by uncomfortable feelings in your legs and other extremities during the night. RLS usually causes enough discomfort to interfere with sleep, causing sleep deprivation, which is why it is considered a sleep disorder.

The symptoms of RLS all have one thing in common: discomfort in the legs, though it can also occur in other extremities. This discomfort can be mild, uncomfortable, and even intolerable. RLS can be characterized by how often it happens:

·         Come and go over long periods of time

·         Be chronic (all the time)

·         Be intermittent – some nights RLS symptoms appear and some nights they don’t

This can make it difficult to identify that there is even a problem or a sleep disorder present.

Why is RLS a Problem, Especially in Alaska?

The main problem associated with RLS is sleep deprivation, which can range from minor to severe depending on the severity of your RLS. The reason RLS causes sleep deprivation is that you wake up and move your leg/limbs to relieve the discomfort.

Then, sleep deprivation can in turn worsen your RLS symptoms, creating this never-ending cycle of worsening discomfort and sleep deprivation. Combine this with other compounding factors, such as age or lack of exercise, and your RLS can become intolerable.

Mild or intermittent RLS can also be a problem, as it is likely to go undetected or be misdiagnosed. This can lead to mild but chronic sleep deprivation – you might not even notice the sleep deprivation but you will certainly display symptoms.

RLS can especially be a problem in Alaska, during the winter. This is because many of us tend to be less active during the winters: it’s cold and dark outside, and unless you are either diligent about working out inside or have outside activities you regularly do, you are getting less exercise than in the summer. Less exercise can exacerbate RLS, or even cause its onset.

What are Symptoms of RLS?

People describe the discomfort of RLS (i.e., the symptoms of RLS) as any of the following in your legs and sometimes other extremities at night:

·         Aching

·         Throbbing

·         Burning

·         Cramping (especially in calves)

·         Jerking

·         Buzzing

·         Vibrating

·         Itchy

·         Pins and needles

·         Creepy crawly

·         Irresistible urge to move your legs to relieve the discomfort

Moderate to severe cases of RLS are less likely to go undetected due to the severity of the discomfort. Mild cases are the ones to be worried about due to the difficult in diagnosing. 

The primary danger of RLS is that it can lead to moderate or severe sleep deprivation, which has many health side effects of its own:

Effects of sleep deprivation

What Causes RLS?

The causes of restless leg syndrome are not known for sure. Recent science has shed some light on strong correlations between RLS and a number of other things. Here’s what we know about RLS causes:

  • Genetic- nearly half of people with RLS have a family member with RLS
  • Certain diseases such as anemia, Parkinson’s, and diabetes
  • Some medications like anti-nausea drugs or antipsychotic drugs
  • Pregnancy, especially in last trimester
  • Sleep deprivation 
  • Sex as it is more common in women
  • May begin at any age (even in young children), but people who are severely affected are generally middle aged or older

In some cases, like RLS onset during pregnancy or after sleep deprivation, RLS may go away naturally. In other cases, RLS may be a chronic problem without treatment.

Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome

Unfortunately, there are no direct treatment options for people with RLS in the same way that people with sleep apnea have CPAP therapy. Fortunately, there are preventative measures that have proven very successful for many people with RLS, and are mostly lifestyle in nature:

  • Beginning regular exercise
  • Stretch, such as with yoga)
  • Developing good sleeping patterns/habits
  • Reducing the use of stimulants
  • Reducing the consumption of alcohol and tobacco

Non-lifestyle treatment methods include:

  • Leg massages
  • Hot baths and/or ice packs
  • A vibrating pad

In some cases drugs may be used, but the effects may relieve or worsen your RLS (results are sporadic) and the effectiveness may lessen over time.

If you live in Alaska and are concerned that you may be struggling with RLS, take this online sleep test (free) to get started your road to recover.

Take a Free Online Sleep Test

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