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If you have ever had strange sensations on your legs that literally won’t let you sleep, it’s time to check whether you have restless legs syndrome. Although it is very unpleasant, it is also quite common and affects up to 15% of the world’s population. Check whether you have already experienced the following warning signs in your legs that will never let you rest.
We want you to take care of your health and watch for any symptoms that could indicate you have restless legs syndrome. There’s also a bonus at the end of the article.
1. You feel crawling and itching in your legs
Deep in the lower limbs there are strange itching and crawling sensations. You can also feel it in your arms and even in your head.
Usually it affects both sides of the body , but sometimes people have strange sensations only on one side. This symptom can worsen with age.
2. You experience pulling and pulsating of the legs
Besides itching you may feel sensations such as pulling, pulsing and numbness in the legs and arms. Some people think it may be caused by intense training, but the unpleasant feeling persists and begins to bother you more each day .
3. You feel discomfort during rest
All those strange sensations described above usually appear when you rest . This is basically the reason this syndrome is called “restless”.
For example, you might take a long walk on the way to work, then you have to sit in front of a computer and that’s when the unpleasant sensations start.
4. You feel an urge to move
If you have restless legs syndrome, nights can become a nightmare. You go to bed and feel tired and ready to sleep, but the moment you lie down the unpleasant feeling begins. The urge to move only grows with your itching and crawling.
You feel this need not only in your legs, but also in your arms.
5. Movement gives you relief
When you feel the urge to move, try not to sit or lie down. You may want to stand up a little and walk a bit. After this movement you usually feel immediate relief, but it is only temporary.
People with restless legs syndrome often exercise even after a demanding workday and do things like running, stretching, cycling or yoga.
6. Notice that symptoms worsen in the evening
During the day, when you are at work or doing some other activity, you feel perfectly fine. But the moment you return home in the evening and try to relax, you may begin to feel immediate pain.
You may experience unpleasant sensations during the day when you sit, but in the evening and early at night you may begin to feel that it is unbearable.
7. You can’t sleep and toss and turn at night
Restless legs syndrome can cause insomnia, because it makes sleep difficult and you are always tossing and turning in bed. Because of this condition people can be very sleepy, have low energy, get easily irritated and can become depressed. In addition, many also experience limb tremors during sleep.
Bonus: How to alleviate restless legs syndrome
There are several things you can do to minimize the unpleasant sensations associated with restless legs syndrome:
- Stick to a regular sleep schedule.
- Massage and stretch the muscles in your legs in the evening hours.
- Exercise every day. It can even be a walk or yoga.
- Soak in a hot bath, just before sleeping.
- Meditate.
