Jittery Legs

Okay, you finally get to sit down in front of the television before going to be. Suddenly you experience a searing, tingling, bubbling, "creepy-crawly" sensation in your leg, which seems to be relieved only by moving it. You are experiencing the classic signs of a neurological disorder called RESTLESS  LEG  SYNDROME. Although these jerky sensations, which occur at intervals of 30 to 60 seconds, can occur during periods of inactivity. In fact, Restless Leg Syndrome is sometimes considered a sleep disorder. Because the sensations can cause difficulty falling or staying asleep, Restless Leg Syndrome sufferers often feel daytime fatigue.

Restless Leg Syndrome is not just an impediment to getting a good night sleep, a recent Canadian study found some evidence that it is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, especially in the elderly. Another study suggests that Restless Leg Syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome may be linked.

The Sleep Research Society and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine have devised a single question to determine which patients are likely to have Restless Leg Syndrome: "When you try to relax in the evening or sleep at night, do you ever have unpleasant, restless feelings in your legs that can be relieved by walking or movement?"  If you answer YES, you probably have this annoying condition.