Five Signs You May Have Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

What is sleep anxiety, and how can it be managed? What is the experience of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) like? If you suffer from RLS, you may feel discomfort in your legs, such as crawling, itching, pulling, or throbbing sensations. Although these sensations seem to affect the skin, they actually do not. They can occur in one or both legs and sometimes even extend to the arms or other body parts.

Here are five possible signs indicating that you may have RLS:

An Irresistible Urge to Move Your Legs
One of the classic symptoms of RLS is the overwhelming desire to move your legs. This urge is often accompanied by discomfort in the legs, making it difficult to tolerate.

Symptoms Intensify During Rest
When you are in a resting state, such as lying down or sitting, the urge to move and the discomfort usually begin or worsen. The longer you rest, the greater the likelihood of experiencing symptoms.

Moving Your Legs Alleviates Symptoms
You may find that only walking, stretching, or other physical activities can relieve the discomfort in your legs. Once you start moving, these discomforts quickly dissipate, and this relief continues as long as you remain active.

Symptoms Are More Severe at Night
The symptoms of RLS typically worsen at night. If your symptoms do not deteriorate during the night, then it may not be RLS, as nocturnal symptom exacerbation is one of the diagnostic criteria for RLS. However, some RLS patients also experience severe symptoms during the daytime.

Rule Out Other Factors
The final criterion for diagnosing RLS is that your symptoms are not caused by other medical or behavioral issues. For example, health problems such as leg cramps or habitual foot tapping can cause similar symptoms, but they are not RLS.

In addition to the above symptoms, RLS has several risk factors and triggers. Older adults and women are more susceptible to RLS, and health issues such as anemia, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, iron deficiency, magnesium deficiency, or folate deficiency may also increase the risk of developing the condition. Furthermore, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, and pregnancy can also lead to RLS. The intake of substances such as alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, as well as the use of certain medications, such as lithium, beta-blockers, and antidepressants, may also induce RLS.

If you suspect that you have RLS and are experiencing discomfort or disrupted sleep, please seek medical attention promptly. You can ask your healthcare provider about treatments for RLS, methods to relieve leg discomfort, and other health conditions that may cause RLS. Although RLS cannot be completely cured, lifestyle changes and treatments can temporarily alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Finally, it is worth noting that RLS may cause nocturnal leg discomfort, which may be related to the connection between the sleep/wake cycle (circadian rhythm) and the nervous system. During the sleep phase of the circadian rhythm, the nervous system may become more active or excitable, triggering RLS symptoms. If you are experiencing this situation, please seek professional medical advice to obtain appropriate help and treatment.