How does restless legs syndrome affect sleep?

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a phenomenon where the legs are always in a state of wanting to move, due to a disorder of the nervous system. Because of this condition, the syndrome also greatly affects sleep, which is considered one of the causes of sleep disorders.

Restless legs syndrome causes discomfort in the legs, along with a strong urge to move them. For most people, that urge becomes more intense when we are relaxing or trying to sleep.
People with restless legs syndrome are more likely to have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because their symptoms are worse at night. Daytime drowsiness, fatigue, and lack of sleep can be harmful to a person's physical and mental health.
The most serious concern for people with restless legs syndrome is that it interferes with sleep, causing drowsiness and daytime fatigue. Restless legs syndrome with sleep disturbances can put you at risk for other health problems, including depression, if left untreated.
At least 80% of people with restless legs syndrome often have a related condition known as “Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS). PLMS causes the legs to twitch during sleep. It can happen as often as every 15 to 40 seconds and can last throughout the night. PLMS can also worsen sleep deprivation.
Restless legs syndrome can affect a person's general health and quality of life. Patients with restless legs syndrome and chronic insomnia have an increased risk of the following conditions:
Cardiovascular disease; Stroke ; Diabetes ; Kidney disease ; Depression; Reduce life expectancy.

In restless legs syndrome, strange sensations in the legs can be uncomfortable or painful. Those symptoms can make it nearly impossible for a person to fall asleep and stay asleep. Lack of sleep and fatigue are dangerous to health and well-being.
In addition to visiting a doctor to treat the symptoms of restless legs syndrome, there are a few things you can do to improve sleep and get a good night's sleep:
Check mattress and pillow: If they are old and lumpy, it may be time to replace them; Make sure window blinds or blackout curtains are closed; Remove all digital devices, including clocks, from the bed; Eliminate clutter in the bedroom; Keep the bedroom temperature at a cool level so you don't feel too hot; Set yourself on a fixed sleep schedule: Try to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning, even on weekends. This will help support natural sleep rhythms; Stop using electronic devices at least 1 hour before bedtime; Right before going to bed, massage your feet or take a hot bath; Try placing a pillow between your legs when you sleep, they can help prevent nerve compression and reduce symptoms of the disease. In case the signs of restless legs interfere with life too much, the patient needs to find a reputable hospital for examination and specific treatment measures. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading prestigious hospitals in the country, trusted by a large number of patients for medical examination and treatment. Not only the physical system, modern equipment: 6 ultrasound rooms, 4 DR X-ray rooms (1 full-axis machine, 1 light machine, 1 general machine and 1 mammography machine) , 2 DR portable X-ray machines, 2 multi-row CT scanner rooms (1 128 rows and 1 16 arrays), 2 Magnetic resonance imaging rooms (1 3 Tesla and 1 1.5 Tesla), 1 room for 2 levels of interventional angiography and 1 room to measure bone mineral density.... Vinmec is also the place to gather a team of experienced doctors and nurses who will greatly assist in diagnosis and detection. early signs of abnormality in the patient's body. In particular, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec ensures to bring the patient the most comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.

Reference sources: healthline.com, webmd.com