Restless Legs Syndrome is a Sleep Disorder

One of the most common sleep disorders, restless legs syndrome affects one in every 20 people worldwide. The problem occurs more frequently in adults and the elderly, who suffer from pain and discomfort in their legs at bedtime, which can lead to severe sleep deprivation.

The sleep medicine specialist, Jéssica Polese, clarifies some symptoms of the condition. “A sensation of discomfort or poorly defined pain, often referred to as numbness or tingling that is partially relieved by movement, rubbing one leg against the other to alleviate symptoms, or moving the legs in bed, getting up and walking around the room to relieve discomfort are the main symptoms, which usually worsen with the onset of evening. In this way, the patient tries to sleep, but the discomfort or the need to move makes it difficult to fall asleep,” she points out.

The syndrome is more common in the lower limbs, but it can also affect the upper limbs. In many cases, it is genetic; however, it can be caused by other factors such as advanced age, pregnancy, endocrine disorders, anemia, kidney disease, diabetes, alcoholism, Parkinson's disease, and other neuropathies, as well as the use of medications, especially antidepressants.

The diagnosis is made through clinical history and physical examination. The doctor clarifies that polysomnography helps in diagnosis when it shows periodic leg movements during sleep that suggest the presence of the disease, but to confirm the diagnosis, a compatible clinical history is necessary.

“For many people, restricting caffeine and alcohol consumption may be sufficient to bring improvements. Physical activity is controversial, as it helps some significantly, while others see no improvement. If the syndrome is caused by conditions such as anemia or kidney failure, once these pathologies are treated, the symptoms will disappear. But if there is no underlying disease, medication treatment can eliminate the symptoms. However, stopping the medication may cause the symptoms to reappear,” says sleep doctor Jéssica Polese.