The symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) can vary in severity from person to person. In its mildest form, RLS can be uncomfortable, or irritating. If the symptoms are more persistent, or severe, they can be distressing or in very severe cases they can be disabling.
The main symptoms of RLS are:
- uncomfortable sensations deep within your legs,
- a compelling urge to move your legs,
- difficulty falling asleep and disturbed sleep, and
- periodic leg movements (involuntary jerking movements of the legs that often occur throughout the night).
RLS is not a life-threatening condition but, if your symptoms are severe, it can have a considerable impact on your day-to-day life.
Uncomfortable leg sensations
The two medical terms that are sometimes used to describe the unpleasant sensations that are associated with RLS are:
- paresthesias (abnormal sensations), or
- dysesthesias (unpleasant abnormal sensations).
It can be difficult for people with RLS to describe the sensations that they get in their legs. The uncomfortable feelings are often described as tingling, or pricking sensations. Some people have described the sensations as being ‘like an electric current’, ‘water running down your leg’, or like having ‘itching bones’.
Overwhelming urge to move
The symptoms of RLS usually occur at rest, such as when you are sitting, lying, or sleeping. They usually begin, or get worse, in the evening and during the night.
The sensations in your legs give you an overwhelming urge to move around in order to find relief. However, as moving around usually only brings temporary relief from the symptoms of RLS, you will become restless.
Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS)
About 4 out of 5 people with RLS also experience a condition that is known as periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS).
If you have PLMS, you will experience jerky, or twitchy, leg movements at night, while you are asleep. The movements are involuntary (you have no control over them) and may occur every 10-60 seconds.
The leg movements of PLMS can be severe enough to wake up both you and your partner. They may also sometimes occur when you are awake and resting.
Scoring system for RLS
RLS is often described by healthcare professionals as being mild, moderate, or severe. The different severities are described in more detail below.
Mild RLS
If you have mild RLS, your symptoms will only occur episodically (occasionally), and you will experience minimal disruption to you sleep. The condition will not be too problematic and will not cause you too much distress.
Moderate RLS
If you have moderate RLS, you will experience symptoms once or twice a week, and you will find it difficult to get to sleep. As a result, you will be tired and it is likely that there will be some disruption to your daytime activities.
Severe RLS
If you have severe RLS, you will experience symptoms more than twice a week, you will find it very difficult to get to sleep, and your sleep will be severely affected. As a result, you will be exhausted during the day which will have a significant impact on your daytime activities.
Due to the disruption to your sleep, and the overall poor sleep quality caused by RLS, the condition can often affect a person’s personal and social life and their effectiveness at work.
