How to diagnose Restless Legs Syndrome.

How to Diagnose Restless Legs Syndrome

The diagnostic criteria of RLS have been established and formalised by the International RLS Study Group. A diagnosis of RLS is based on the patient’s clinical history.

It should be positive for four key features. The most important is Akathisia the overriding need to move one’s limbs which is accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms. If the patient presents with a simple tapping foot or shaking leg on its own without the compulsion to move this is not RLS.

The second most prevalent symptom is that it occurs when the patient is at rest or lying down ie in a state of relaxation. The third is that relief is obtained either fully or partially by physical activity. Symptoms follow a circadian pattern occurring  primarily at night and are much less severe in the daytime. Even the most severe sufferers have relative respite in the late morning and early afternoon.

Diagnosis is often difficult due to the non standardisation of names for the symptoms which are variously described eg as creepy, crawly and tingly, nervous feet, crazy legs and pepsi cola in the veins!
The symptoms of RLS are usually in the legs but often in severe cases  the arms are involved. Most cases begin with leg symptoms but some with arms. Sometimes symptoms can be experienced in other parts of the body even in the genitals.

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