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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Up to 3-8% of the population may have this neurologic condition. Many people have a mild form of the disorder, but RLS severely affects the lives of millions of individuals. In order for you to be officially diagnosed with RLS, you must meet the criteria described below:

You have a strong urge to move your legs which you may not be able to resist. The need to move is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. Some words used to describe these sensations include: "creeping", "itching", "pulling", "creepy-crawly", "tugging" or "gnawing".
Your RLS Symptoms start or become worse when you are resting. The longer you are resting, the greater the chance the symptoms will occur and the more severe they are likely to be.
Your RLS symptoms get better when you move your legs. The relief can be complete or only partial but generally starts very soon after starting an activity. Relief persists as long as the motor activity continues.
Your RLS symptoms are worse in the evening especially when you are lying down. Activities that bother you at night do not bother you during the day.

RLS can cause insomnia because the symptoms often act up as you are getting ready for bed. You often then have to get up, go for a walk or stretch / massage your legs. People with RLS are also more likely to have Periodic Limb Movements (PLMs).

Periodic Limb Movements (PLMs)

Periodic limb movement disorder affects people only during sleep. The condition is characterized by behavior ranging from shallow, continual movement of the ankle or toes, to wild and strenuous kicking and flailing of the legs and arms. Movement of the legs is more typical than movement of the arms in cases of PLMs. Movements typically occur for 0.5 to 10 seconds, in intervals separated by five to 90 seconds.

These limb movements usually occur in deep stage two sleep, but often cause arousal. Thus, PLMs can cause poor sleep, which may lead to sleep maintenance insomnia and/or excessive daytime sleepiness.

Frequently, the bed partner is aware of these movements as they are hit, kicked or punched during the night. Additionally, the bottom bed sheet may be thread-bare in one spot sooner than the rest. This may be caused by your heels rubbing in the same spot frequently at night. Bedding in disarray is also a well known feature of PLMs




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Sleep Centre Home OSA Diagnostic Tests OSA Treatments Online Sleep Class Suggestions for Better Sleep SnoreSat Instructional Video New Telehealth Insomnia Management Program Referral Process Referral Form Download Form Physician Training Respirology Residents Rotation Sleep Fellowship CPAP Providers Research Projects Links Contact Us	Sleep Centre Foothills Medical Centre Online Sleep Class Page 10 of 16 Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Click to Watch Video Up to 3-8% of the population may have this neurologic condition. Many people have a mild form of the disorder, but RLS severely affects the lives of millions of individuals. In order for you to be officially diagnosed with RLS, you must meet the criteria described below: You have a strong urge to move your legs which you may not be able to resist. The need to move is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. Some words used to describe these sensations include: "creeping", "itching", "pulling", "creepy-crawly", "tugging" or "gnawing". Your RLS Symptoms start or become worse when you are resting. The longer you are resting, the greater the chance the symptoms will occur and the more severe they are likely to be. Your RLS symptoms get better when you move your legs. The relief can be complete or only partial but generally starts very soon after starting an activity. Relief persists as long as the motor activity continues. Your RLS symptoms are worse in the evening especially when you are lying down. Activities that bother you at night do not bother you during the day. RLS can cause insomnia because the symptoms often act up as you are getting ready for bed. You often then have to get up, go for a walk or stretch / massage your legs. People with RLS are also more likely to have Periodic Limb Movements (PLMs). Periodic Limb Movements (PLMs) Periodic limb movement disorder affects people only during sleep. The condition is characterized by behavior ranging from shallow, continual movement of the ankle or toes, to wild and strenuous kicking and flailing of the legs and arms. Movement of the legs is more typical than movement of the arms in cases of PLMs. Movements typically occur for 0.5 to 10 seconds, in intervals separated by five to 90 seconds. These limb movements usually occur in deep stage two sleep, but often cause arousal. Thus, PLMs can cause poor sleep, which may lead to sleep maintenance insomnia and/or excessive daytime sleepiness. Frequently, the bed partner is aware of these movements as they are hit, kicked or punched during the night. Additionally, the bottom bed sheet may be thread-bare in one spot sooner than the rest. This may be caused by your heels rubbing in the same spot frequently at night. Bedding in disarray is also a well known feature of PLMs
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