About 10% of American adults suffer from restless legs syndrome (RLS), but many never seek treatment. Bud Shuler, MD, and Natasha Gray, MCMSc, PA-C, at Vascular Associates, LLC treat RLS at their offices in Panama City and Panama City Beach, Florida. If RLS interferes with your sleep and daily activities, call either office or book an appointment online today.
Also called Willis-Ekbom disease, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep-related movement disorder that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs during periods of rest. Most of the time, moving the legs temporarily relieves discomfort caused by an unpleasant sensation.
People with RLS often describe these sensations as a creeping, crawling, throbbing, or itching feeling that occurs within the legs rather than on the skin. Sometimes, the sensations may be difficult to describe.
The primary symptom of RLS is an overwhelming urge to move your legs. Other common characteristics of RLS include:
Symptoms of RLS usually worsen at night, but you may experience discomfort during any period of rest, such as sitting on an airplane.
There’s no specific test for RLS. Instead, your Vascular Associates, LLC provider can diagnose this condition based on a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and medical history along with a complete physical and neurological exam. They may order a sleep study if they suspect you have another sleep disorder, like sleep apnea.
After they diagnose you with RLS, the team at Vascular Associates, LLC recommends the best treatment for your specific condition. If your RLS is due to an underlying condition, like iron deficiency, they begin by treating that problem.
RLS has no cure, but a variety of therapies can control your symptoms and promote restful sleep. Depending on your needs, treatment for RLS may include:
They also help you establish healthy sleep habits, like going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and avoiding caffeine.
If restless legs prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep, call Vascular Associates, LLC or book an appointment online today for effective treatment.
