How to Test for Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a disorder that is associated with the uncontrollable urge for the legs to move or jerk. The diagnosis is made with a compilation of symptoms and patient history. There is not a diagnostic test that is designed specifically for RLS.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Understand the clinical diagnosis of RLS is made initially by the symptoms the patient presents to the physician. These symptoms include uncontrolled limb movement at rest, involuntary twitching and jerking movements at night.

2. Recognize risk factors for developing RLS. These may include family history of the disorder, fluctuating iron levels, diabetes, Parkinson's and certain medications. A simple lab test can eliminate or confirm the presence of many of these risk factors.

3. Understand the need to test the electrical activity in the muscles and nerves through electromyography and nerve conduction studies to rule out or confirm nerve dysfunction involvement. These tests must rule out diseases such as peripheral neuropathy before RLS can be suggested.

4. Let a doppler sonography study be done to evaluate the activity of the muscles in the legs for damage or disease other than RLS.

5. Recognize the difficulty in diagnosing RLS in children. There is no definitive test currently available. The bulk of the diagnostic criteria is given by the patient, and children have a difficult time explaining their symptoms.

6. Adjust your lifestyle to see if symptoms of RLS disappear or improve. If you smoke, stop smoking. Reduce or eliminate caffeine and alcohol consumption as these can exacerbate symptoms.

7. Be aware that a test for ruling out ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) may be done since there is some suggestion that it may be a factor in some individuals with restless leg syndrome symptoms.

8. Anticipate a test to determine venous reflux may be performed. Some studies have indicated that RLS may be associated with blood flow in the legs. A simple ultrasound test can confirm or eliminate vein involvement in RLS.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a diary of symptoms over a period of several weeks. Pay attention to diet, activities, sleep habits and energy level as these are important for diagnosing restless leg syndrome.
• There are other medical problems that can manifest the same symptoms as restless leg syndrome. It is necessary for a qualified healthcare provider to do tests to eliminate other disorders as well as diagnose RLS.

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[TeacherKelly]

on 12/7/2008 Well written article. My Mayo clinic neurologists have never mentioned the venous reflux test you mentioned in Step 8, I'm going to ask about this.

I have found that a very low sodium diet reduces my symptoms somewhat, if any other fellow sufferers of SEVERE RLS have had any success with the low sodium diet, I'd love to hear from you - feel free to send a message to my inbox!

[Horsedoc]

on 1/30/2008 try Vitamin E capsules