Indian Journal of Sleep Medicine

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VOLUME 8 , ISSUE 1 ( January-March, 2013 ) > List of Articles

REVIEW ARTICLE

Restless legs syndrome

Keywords : Restless legs, RLS, sleep disorders, Willis Ekbom Syndrome

Citation Information : Restless legs syndrome. Indian Sleep Med 2013; 8 (1):1-11.

DOI: 10.5958/j.0974-0155.8.1.001

License: NA

Published Online: 01-12-2018

Copyright Statement:  NA


Abstract

Sleep is essential to maintain quality of life. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder which is characterized by uncomfortable feeling in legs, irresistible urge to move them and compromised sleep quality. It is a common problem but is usually under diagnosed or misdiagnosed. It can be easily diagnosed by using criteria proposed by International Restless Legs Society. Though no specific investigations are require for diagnosis, investigations are required to discern the cause. Treatment of the cause relieves the symptoms of secondary RLS. In case of primary RLS most patients improve with non-pharmacological treatment. Those who require drug treatment should be classified as per frequency and severity of symptoms. Dopamine agonists are first line drugs, however, the treatment needs to be individualized depending upon the symptoms of the patients. This review aims at comprehensive overview of RLS including diagnosis and management.


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