At night, is falling asleep a troublesome task for you? Do your legs feel tingly and unnatural? Does it feel like you have to get out of bed and move around?

This may be because of a problem called restless leg syndrome (RLS). It causes you to feel unnatural feelings in your limbs, traditionally your legs. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. At best, you will feel the need to move your legs, and at worst, you will feel severe pain. The symptoms usually worsen at night and often prevent the affected person from sleeping. It is common for people suffering from RLS to be improperly diagnosed with different problems.

Even if you only have mild feelings of restlessness in your legs, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible, so that it does not develop into something more severe and painful.

Having leg problems in night is not always attributed to RLS. There are other leg problems, such as PLMB, or periodic limb movement disorder. The condition causes your legs to kick around in a wild fashion every minute or so during sleep. The difference between rls and PLMB is that RLS hinders your ability to fall asleep, and PLMD keeps you from staying asleep. It is very possible to have PLMD, as 4/5 of people who have RLS also have PLMD. On the flip side, the majority of people who only have PLMD don’t additionally suffer from RLS. Because of the discrepancy between the two, a correct diagnosis from a doctor certified in the field is crucial.

While RLS is an annoyance, it can also pose serious long term health problems. We need sleep to properly function, and a lack of sleep affects every part of the body. Many symptoms that come as a result of RLS, such as irritability and grogginess, can be treated by getting more sleep. There are multiple ways to deal with RLS, from medication, to more natural alternatives. See a doctor today to get the help you need to make this condition more manageable.