This week the Thoracic and Sleep Group Queensland wants to join in and promote the celebration of the World Sleep Day. So let’s talk about Restless legs syndrome (RLS), one of the most common conditions that affects our ability to fall asleep or stay asleep overnight.
RLS is a neurological disorder characterised by uncomfortable sensations in legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them. The symptoms are often difficult to describe, because each person’s experience is different. However, the National sleep foundation website lists some helpful questions. If you find you are answering “yes” to some these, perhaps you should consider talking to your health care professional about these symptoms.
- When you sit or lie down, do you have a strong desire to move your legs?
- Does your desire to move your legs feel impossible to resist?
- Have you ever used the words unpleasant, creepy-crawly, creeping, itching, pulling, or tugging to describe your symptoms?
- Does your desire to move often occur when you are resting or sitting still?
- Does moving your legs make you feel better or slow down the symptoms?
- Do you have more of these symptoms at night?
- Have you kept your bed partner awake with jerking movements in your legs?
- Do you ever have involuntary leg movements while you are awake?
- Are you tired or unable to concentrate during the day?
- Do any of your family members have similar symptoms?
- Has a trip to the health care professional not revealed any physical cause for your discomfort?
Furthermore, the RLS Foundation advises that a diary could be a convenient tool to record information about the symptoms, when they occur and if the patients may identify possible triggers.
References:
National Sleep Foundation: https://sleepfoundation.org/content/living-restless-legs-syndrome-rls
- Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation. Website: https://rls.org/
