Tossing and turning with legs that won’t be still? Pacing restlessly while everyone else sleeps? You may have restless legs syndrome! Here’s how doctors tell for sure.

Video Transcription

Male: If you are tossing and turning with leg pains you maybe a likely candidate for having Restless Legs Syndrome but how will a Doctor know for sure. Female: here is currently no definitive diagnostic test for Restless Legs Syndrome for this reason a patients description of his or her symptoms is vitally importantly to a correct diagnosis of the condition. Determining the cause of night time restlessness begins with a detailed medical history. This is important because almost 50% of restless legs suffers have a family member with the condition. Next the patient is questioned in detail about all of his or her symptoms which are then categorized according to the four diagnostic criteria of RLS. The first markers symptom is the presence of unpleasant tingling, aching, itching or crawling sensations felt deep within the legs. The second symptom recognized by the RLS study group is motor restlessness characterized by phasing, leg rubbing and tossing and turning in bed. Motor restlessness may also manifest as short involuntary burst of leg movement which usually occur when the patient is lying down. The third diagnostic criterion is that the symptoms are worst when the sufferer is at rest but are at least partially relief by bouts activity. And the final marker for diagnosing RLS is symptoms which worsen at night and are distinctly more painful between 10PM and 2AM a patient whose symptoms fit this criteria is considered to have Restless Legs Syndrome. However because RLS can stand from underlying medical condition a Doctor may wish to conduct more tests to determine the rot cause of restless legs. A follow up leg test can reveal low iron levels, kidney disease and diabetes. All of which have been linked to the condition, if a Doctor suspects that a condition called Neuropathy maybe an underlying cause of RLS a needle electromyography study or EMG maybe conducted. In this test small needles are inserted into the muscles to assess nerve activity. Occasionally a Doctor may follow up with a polysomnographic or sleep test. During Polysomnography a patient sprain waves, heartbeat, breathing and bodily movements are monitored over night. If the end result of these tests is a diagnosis with Restless Legs Syndrome you are not alone. At least 12 million Americans have RLS and researcher learn more about this common condition everyday. Female: Want to learn more, checkout other videos and sources on this site for more information.