Do I Have Restless Leg Syndrome?

Do you have a strong, often irresistible urge to move your legs?

Do you have abnormal, uncomfortable sensations in your legs or feet?

Can you describe those sensations as crawling, pulling, throbbing, aching, itching or electric?

Do you have a feeling like fizzy water is inside the blood vessels in the legs?

Do you have a painful cramping sensation in the legs, particularly in the calves?

Do you have uncomfortable sensations on both sides of the body?

Do your symptoms start or get worse when you're resting, such as sitting or lying down?

Are your symptoms partially or temporarily relieved by activity, such as walking or stretching?

Are your symptoms worse at night?

Do you have a family history of restless leg syndrome?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have restless leg syndrome (RLS). Restless leg syndrome is a medical condition also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. It is a nervous system disorder characterized by an overpowering urge to move the legs. People with RLS also have an uncomfortable feeling of crawling in their legs and a strong urge to move them so that the feeling disappears. RLS is also considered a sleep disorder because people with this condition have difficulty getting comfortable enough to fall asleep. It can occur at any age, and is twice more common in women than in men. RLS runs in families.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have restless leg syndrome (RLS). Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disease that refers to an unpleasant sensation in the legs and an overwhelming urge to move them. Symptoms usually appear or worsen while at rest, and are improved by activities such as walking or stretching. Some people may have symptoms occasionally, while other have them daily. The symptoms can range from mild to intolerable which can completely prevent a person from performing everyday activities The exact cause of RLS is not known. A diagnosis is based on a physical and neurological examination, and blood tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have restless leg syndrome (RLS). Restless leg syndrome is a neurological condition that affects about 7 percent of the general population. People with RLS have a strong urge to move their legs due to uncomfortable sensations in them. Some evidence suggests that nerve cell damage leads to decreased dopamine levels, causing muscle spasms and involuntary movements. RLS can also be the result of an underlying disease such as iron deficiency anemia. Most people develop RLS after age 45. It is a life-long condition, but it can be managed by medications and a number of lifestyle changes.