Restless Legs, Periodic Limb Movements
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorders (PLMD) are somewhat intertwined.
Most people with RLS have PLMD, but not all people with PLMD have RLS. RLS has been described as "the creepy crawlies" that occur in the legs when they are sitting or laying still. RLS can only be relieved by stretching or moving the legs. This often affects your ability to fall asleep.
PLMD occurs during sleep, when the legs or arms periodically move or twitch during the night, causing the person to awaken enough to disturb their sleep, but not enough for them to realize that they had been disturbed.
Both RLS and PLMD can disrupt your night time sleep, causing sleepiness and fatigue during the day.
Symptoms
- Leg pain or leg cramps
- Sleep deprivation
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Urge to move
Diagnosis
If your doctor thinks you might have RLS or PLM, you may be asked visit with a sleep specialist.
Treatment
RLS and PLM is medically treatable. If you are diagnosed with either, your sleep specialist will determine your medical treatment plan.
