Sleep:Restless Legs Syndrome
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What You Need to Know
Video: Perspectives on Restless Legs Syndrome
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What RLS Feels Like"You just want to cut your legs off"
( 1:05 ) -
Stigma and MisdiagnosisSufferers may not tell their doctors
( :58 ) -
Restless Legs Syndrome"It wakes me like a door slamming"
( 1:52 ) -
Can It Be Cured?Medication will help some patients
( :51 )
MY STORY
Medication for Restless Legs Syndrome Helps Me Feel Like a Normal 26-Year-Old
Hannah hid her restless legs for years, but now she finally has relief
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can strike at any age—and doctors still aren't sure why or how it affects certain people. Hannah Trahan, a children's speech therapist in Dartmouth, Mass., has experienced RLS symptoms for most of her life... Read More
Sleeping With Restless Legs Syndrome: 3 Patients' Stories
Julie's nights were torturous before she found treatment
No one knows for sure why restless legs syndrome (RLS) acts up at night, but sufferers know that it does. For many RLS patients, the main motivation to seek treatment is their inability to sleep well. Here, three patients discuss how the condition has affected their slumber... Read More
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Expert Charlene Gamaldo's Advice on RLS Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Charlene Gamaldo
Assistant professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Q: I was diagnosed with restless legs syndrome two years ago. Now my teenage daughter says she thinks she has it too. Is she old enough to have it or is it just in her mind?
A: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known to run in families and there's something called early onset RLS, which is when the symptoms manifest before age 40. If you developed RLS early on, it's more likely to have a hereditary component. Even if you didn't develop RLS until later in life, it's still likely that your daughter could have it too. Unfortunately people who get RLS when they're young typically see it get worse as they age. Read More
A: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known to run in families and there's something called early onset RLS, which is when the symptoms manifest before age 40. If you developed RLS early on, it's more likely to have a hereditary component. Even if you didn't develop RLS until later in life, it's still likely that your daughter could have it too. Unfortunately people who get RLS when they're young typically see it get worse as they age. Read More
ONLINE RESOURCES
The Best Websites for Restless Legs Syndrome Sufferers
- Site: The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation
- Who it's for: Anyone looking for more information on RLS
- Why we like it: This grassroots nonprofit organization has tons of information on everything from RLS support groups to treatment.
PRINT IT OUT
Test Yourself: 5 Signs That You May Have Restless Legs Syndrome
- You have a strong urge to move your legs that you may not be able to resist.This criteria is necessary for diagnosis: 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.
