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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffSome people with restless legs syndrome never seek medical attention because they worry that their symptoms are too difficult to describe or won't be taken seriously. Some doctors wrongly attribute symptoms to nervousness, stress, insomnia or muscle cramps. But RLS has received more media attention and focus from the medical community in recent years, making more people aware of the condition.
Reviewing your signs, symptoms and medical history
If you think you may have RLS, consult your doctor. Doctors diagnose RLS by listening to your description of your symptoms and by reviewing your medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions such as:
- Do you experience unpleasant or creepy, crawly sensations in your legs, associated with a strong urge to move?
- Does movement help relieve the sensations?
- Are you more bothered by these sensations when sitting or at night?
- Do you often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep?
- Have you been told that your legs or your arms jerk while you sleep?
- Is anyone else in your family bothered by restless legs?
Ruling out other conditions
There's no blood or lab test specifically for the diagnosis of RLS. Your answers help your doctor clarify whether you have RLS or whether testing is needed to rule out other conditions that may explain your symptoms. Blood tests or muscle or nerve studies to exclude other possible causes may be necessary to pinpoint RLS.
Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist for additional evaluation. This may require that you stay overnight at a sleep clinic, where doctors can study your sleep habits closely and check for leg twitching (periodic limb movements) during sleep — a possible sign of RLS. However, a diagnosis of RLS usually doesn't require a sleep study.
- MayoClinic.com, Diseases & Conditions A-Z, Restless legs syndrome, updated 10/04/06, accessed 11/07, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/restless-legs-syndrome/DS00191
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet, October 13, 2005, accessed 10/16/07, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm
- Tarsy, D. et al, Restless legs syndrome, UpToDate, updated 8/28/07
- RLS Foundation, Living with restless legs syndrome, copyright 2007, http://www.rls.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Document.Doc?&id=428
