ANCSLEEP BLOG

What it’s Like to Experience Restless Leg Syndrome

Posted by Tyler Britton on Aug 31, 2021 2:25:00 PM

What it is like to experience Restless Leg Syndrome - Anchorage Sleep Center

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sleeping disorder that causes uncomfortable feelings in your legs at night, and sometimes other extremities as well. RLS causes enough discomfort to interfere with sleep, leading to sleep deprivation. It can be a potentially serious condition if the severity is bad enough. If you experience any of the symptoms discussed below, then please click the orange button at the bottom of the page to talk with one of our sleep health professionals. 

RLS is caused by your nervous system. The experience of RLS is virtually the same in most people in that there is chronic discomfort in the legs at night. This discomfort can also occur in other extremities. This discomfort can be mild, uncomfortable, and even intolerable.

RLS is not always consistent, which can make it difficult to diagnose. RLS can wax and wane, making it difficult to be diagnosed in moments where the severity is less bad. RLS can:

  • 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

Many people live with it as just “one of those things” to deal with. But this doesn’t have to be the case. This condition does have a name and can be addressed with the help of a doctor or sleep specialist.

What are the Dangers of Restless Leg Syndrome?

The main danger for people who have RLS is sleep deprivation.

Depending on the severity of the condition, sleep deprivation can range from mild to severe. The reason RLS causes sleep deprivation is that the discomfort in your legs and/or extremities causes you to wake up and move your extremity in order to relieve the discomfort.

This is a vicious cycle because sleep deprivation can in turn worsen your RLS symptoms. These symptoms can make you wake up more, becoming more sleep deprived, and further worsening the symptoms. 

Mild or intermittent RLS can also be a problem because it’s more likely to go undetected and undiagnosed. In turn, this can lead to mild but chronic sleep deprivation – you might not even notice the sleep deprivation but you will certainly display symptoms.

For us in Alaska, winter time can be problematic because lack of exercise contributes to RLS, and unless you are diligent about getting out when it's dark and cold, you could develop RLS.

dangers_of_sleep_deprivation

By itself RLS is not dangerous, but the sleep deprivation it leads to can be life altering

What Does It Feel Like to Experience Restless Leg Syndrome?

The feeling of discomfort is universal for people who have RLS. Usually people feel it in their legs, but can also feel it in their arms/hands too. The feeling of discomfort has been described as:

  • 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

The only thing that makes the feeling get better is to move or massage the limb that has the discomfort, which you will wake up to do, causing sleep disruption.

Why Do People Get Restless Leg Syndrome?

The cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown. Recent science has shed some light on strong correlations between RLS and a number of potential causes:

  • Genes are thought to play a role: nearly half of people with RLS have a family member who also has it
  • Certain diseases include symptoms of RLS, such as anemia, Parkinson’s, and diabetes
  • Some medications may make RLS symptoms worse, such as anti nausea drugs or antipsychotic drugs
  • Pregnancy may trigger symptoms, especially in last trimester
  • Sleep deprivation may trigger symptoms or worsen them
  • It affects both sexes but 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.

Can RLS be Treated?

The bad news is that RLS cannot be directly treated the way some conditions can be. That being said, there are a number of proactive and preventative measures you can take to prevent or lessen RLS, such as:

  • Regular exercise
  • Stretching, such as with yoga
  • Getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night, at a minimum
  • Reducing the use of stimulants like coffee
  • Reducing the consumption of alcohol before bed
  • Reducing the use of tobacco
  • Leg massages before bed
  • Hot baths and/or ice packs before bed
  • A vibrating pad before bed

Medications are not the default choice for treatment as they can relieve or worsen your symptoms, though some people try medication just to see if they will help.

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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