Answering Your Questions About Restless Legs Syndrome

Many people are affected by a sleep disorder called Restless Leg Syndrome. In fact, over 12 million Americans suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. This disorder is incredibly frustrating because it interferes with your ability to sleep soundly through the night since a sub-set of patients with RLS have Periodic Leg Movements (PLM’s). These movements may cause frequent short brain arousals, hence causing excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and fatigue.

Restless leg syndrome happens when an individual’s legs become uncomfortable – sometimes with a burning or creeping sensation, or sometimes it feels like a mild electrical shock in the legs. These symptoms result in the need to move the legs, either by getting up and walking around, or in the case of sleep, rhythmic jerking of legs.

This movement of the legs is completely involuntary. Sometimes exercise or walking helps the symptoms, but all too often the movement takes place during sleep, jerking the sufferer awake during the night. It can also be a frustrating experience for a partner sharing the bed – they too are awakened by the movement.

Restless leg syndrome can be controlled using medication. but it does require an accurate diagnosis. Many physicians have mistaken restless leg syndrome for aging or stress.

If you think you might suffer from restless leg syndrome, you should schedule an appointment with your physician. At our Encino CA sleep center, we routinely perform sleep studies on patients who are referred to us with the diagnosis of possible Restless Legs Syndrome.

A sleep study at the Encino CA sleep center can be both informative and surprising. You’ll stay over night at our center, and your sleep cycle will be monitored. One of the many elements of your sleep that is tracked is muscle movement. This is through electrodes which are called electromyogram (EMG). Our study will show you how often your legs move during the night, and how often this movement awakens you. It can be a truly eye-opening experience.

With a diagnosis of periodic leg movement, your doctor may recommend a variety of medical treatments. With the right treatment, you’ll finally get the rest you deserve.