QUESTION: What is restless legs syndrome?

Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder manifested by unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities and an irresistible urge to move them. Patients often describe these sensations as burning, tingling, itching, or an internal itchy tension that is temporarily relieved only by moving the legs.

A characteristic feature of this syndrome is the worsening of symptoms in the evening and at night, especially at rest when a person is trying to relax or fall asleep. This leads to pronounced sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and daytime sleepiness.

The development of the pathology is often based on iron deficiency in the body, as well as impaired dopamine metabolism in the brain. Genetic predisposition and concomitant diseases, such as chronic kidney disease or diabetes mellitus, play a certain role.

For accurate diagnosis, doctors use clinical criteria and also prescribe laboratory blood tests to assess ferritin and iron levels. In some cases, polysomnography is performed to rule out other sleep disorders.