If you have restless legs syndrome, you may find it hard to get comfortable enough to fall asleep due to the uncomfortable sensations and uncontrollable urge to move your legs. The feeling is often hard to put into words, but can be described as a crawling or creeping sensation, usually worse at night and in the evenings. You may find relief by getting up and walking around, although the sensation may come back when trying again to sleep.
If you have restless legs syndrome, you might find it hard to remain immobile for a while. Prolonged car trips or airplane rides may be especially problematic.
It can take years for people to accept that treatment is necessary. Without help, the symptoms may progress to a point where they become more frequent and serious.
Restless legs syndrome may cause decreased hours of sleep each night. In severe cases, this could lead to fewer than five hours of sleep per night. Those with milder symptoms may find that the quality of sleep does not suffer as much, even though it is still disturbed.
A lack of sleep from restless legs syndrome can result in drowsiness throughout the day, as well as cause frustration and trouble focusing. This has potential to greatly affect both your personal and professional life. Also, there is a higher risk of developing depression or anxiety associated with this condition.
Restless legs syndrome is often treatable through medications, as well as adjustments to one's lifestyle.
Most people usually experience restless legs syndrome after the age of 45 – however, it can manifest in people of any age. Women are especially prone to this condition and considerably more likely to suffer from it than men. If you have a family member with restless legs syndrome, your chance of exhibiting symptoms before reaching your mid-forties increases significantly. In fact, those affected by the disorder often come from families where the risk is three to six times greater than average.