Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system disorder that causes discomfort in your legs and other extremities throughout the night, and may affect up to 10% of the U.S. population [WebMD]. RLS usually is uncomfortable enough that it interferes with your sleep.
The primary problem associated with restless leg syndrome is sleep deprivation because it causes you to wake up and move your leg to ease the discomfort. It’s a vicious cycle, as the sleep deprivation may, in turn, also worsen your symptoms.
Indirectly, another risk for people with mild or intermittent RLS is that it will go undetected or misdiagnosed. The problem here may be mild but chronic sleep deprivation.
Unfortunately, the causes of RLS are relatively unknown, and in consequence there is no direct treatment for it. That being said, we know that there are things you can do that may significantly decrease your chances of getting RLS, the frequency with which you get it, or the severity of your RLS.
Some treatments used in mild to moderate cases of RLS are targeted at lifestyle changes such as:
Non-lifestyle treatment methods include:
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.
As said, the causes of restless leg syndrome are unknown - for many people it’s “just one of those things” - though science has illuminated some pertinent information and risk factors for developing RLS:
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.
(RED) Sleep of someone with RLS || (BLUE) Normal sleeping pattern
When the discomfort is enough to keep you up or wake you up, it is considered a sleeping disorder. Some of the symptoms include feeling the following on your legs at night:
The good news about RLS symptoms is that, as long as they are not mild, they are often easy to identify – i.e., it’s hard to miss an irresistible urge to relieve leg discomfort. If you notice these symptoms and live in Anchorage, you can consult with us or your healthcare provider to begin the road to treatment.
If you live in Alaska and are concerned that you may be struggling with RLS, consult with us to learn more information about what you are dealing with.