Symptoms are worse during the evening or at night.Symptoms are relieved by moving or rubbing your legs.Symptoms occur or get worse when you are resting or inactive.An overwhelming urge to move your legs, usually with an uncomfortable sensation, as described earlier.Your GP should be able to diagnose it using these 4 criteria: There is no specific test for RLS, rather it is based on symptoms. Excessive smoking, caffeine and alcohol intake.There are several triggers, these do not cause RLS but can make it worse: Pregnancy (particularly from 27 weeks to birth).Long term health condition such as Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis.Iron deficiency (leads to lower levels of Dopamine).This is known as secondary RLS and you could develop it with the following: Underlying health condition - where a pre-existing health condition may pre-dispose you to have RLS. Dopamine levels naturally fall towards the end of the day, this may explain why RLS symptoms are often worse in the evening and during the night. Often an exact cause is not known for RLS, but the following are thought to contribute:ĭopamine – is a chemical on the brain, which helps control muscle activity and movement. It is usually worse in the evening and during the night, often relieved by rubbing or moving the legs. They are unpleasant sensations and affect people with differing severity. A painful cramping sensation in the legs, particularly in the claves.A feeling like fizzy water is inside the blood vessels in the legs.Tingling, burning, itching or throbbing.Over 80% of people with RLS also have a condition known as Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) (see PLMD section) ![]() Restless legs syndrome, is a common condition of the nervous system that causes an overwhelming irresistible urge to move the legs. ![]() If you are formally diagnosed with OSA, you may need to be started with CPAP treatment (link to CPAP section)įor more information on OSA visit the sleep apnoea trust information or useful links section. This will help to diagnose OSA (link to test section). Once you’ve been referred, you will usually have an overnight sleep study at home to monitor your breathing, oxygen saturation and heart / pulse rate. The Sleep Clinic / Service are specialist clinics that assess, diagnose and treat people with a range of sleep problems, including OSA. Your GP / Specialist will refer you to the Sleep Clinic / Service. If you have a bed partner they may be able to report on what happens during your sleep. OSA can be linked with various cardiovascular diseases such as, Stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack and diabetes. It can have a severe impact on your quality of life. If you think you may have obstructive sleep apnoea it is important to consult with your GP. OSA can be made worse by drinking alcohol, using sleeping pills and smoking or sleeping on your back.īy completing the STOPBang questionnaire ( ) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale ( ) they may help you decide if you are at risk of OSA and how excessively tired you may feel during the daytime. You have a small airway, a set-back lower jaw or a small lower jaw, large tonsils, a large tongue or nasal blockage.Your collar size is larger than 17 inches.OSA symptoms often improve or disappear after your baby is born You are a woman in the later stages of pregnancy.Falling asleep in appropriate places / times.Often your bed partner is more aware of these symptoms. Needing the toilet frequently during the night (Nocturia).There are certain things that can make OSA worse, for example, sleeping position. This often happens in cycles.ĭependent on the severity this could happen hundreds of times per night every night. This is only brief and you may not be aware of this happening, it results in poor quality, fragmented sleep. ![]() There is often a distinctive snort or grunt and some movement. Your brain will detect this and wake you from your sleep. This results in your oxygen level in your blood falling. For it to be classed as an apnoea it needs to stop for at least 10 seconds. If your throat closes completely, it causes you to stop breathing for a time. This can reduce the amount of air flowing in and out of your airways. In some people the relaxing muscles cause the airways to narrow. When you go to sleep your muscles relax, including those in your throat.
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