What Is RLS

RLS, or Restless Legs Syndrome, is believed to be a neurological disorder and is characterized by the uncontrollable need to move ones legs (or arms) during any period of extended relaxation. However, exactly what is RLS and what does it mean? What happens is, after a short time of inactivity or relaxation, the sufferers limbs are filled with the need to move. The sensation has been described as a gnawing feeling, or even a creepy-crawly feeling in the legs and arms. Moving the limbs temporarily makes the feeling go away, but it can return within moments of returning to rest.

RLS has been known to show up in children and get worse over time for many sufferers, but some who experience RLS as kids have the disease go away later in life.

RLS has also been known to sometimes disappear for weeks or even months at a time, to only reappear later at some point. These periods of temporary remission are not well understood even by RLS experts. If you’ve been suffering from RLS for long periods of time and you experience one of these remissions, try to keep track of how long it lasted, and what might have possibly brought your RLS back. This could be important in learning how to treat your symptoms.

The symptoms of RLS are usually limited to the endless need to move your limbs, but there are other symptoms as well. Most RLS sufferers report that any attempt to relax, especially any form of relaxation that involves lying down, even if it’s not to sleep makes the urge worse. Also, most sufferers report the symptoms get dramatically worse during the early evening and into the night.

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One of the most under-rated effects of Restless Leg Syndrome is the impact that is has on sleep patterns. RLS can seriously impact the ability of sufferers to get into a comfortable position so that sleep may occur, and if the sufferer tends to toss and turn throughout the night with frequent periods of waking up, the sleep pattern may be totally disrupted. This lack of restful sleep can have a serious impact on how a patient can live their life. Sufferers can also experience “jerks” during the night where their limbs almost seem to move by themselves.

The condition is also known as Ekbom syndrome and was discovered in 1945 by Dr. Karl-Axel Ekbom. There are, however, descriptions of the condition in medical journals dating back to the 1600’s. If you think you might suffer from RLS, consult your doctor and keep a log of your symptoms so that you may accurately tell your doctor what has been going on.

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