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Guide to Restless Legs Syndrome

By , About.com Guide

Updated August 01, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

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Part 4 of 10 - Do Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome Vary?

Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms Vary

The symptoms of restless legs syndrome vary in severity and duration from person to person.

  • In mild cases of restless legs syndrome symptoms occur episodically, with only mild disruption of sleep onset, and causes little distress.
  • In moderately severe cases, symptoms occur only once or twice a week but result in significant delay of sleep onset, with some disruption of daytime function.
  • In severe cases of restless legs syndrome, the symptoms occur more than twice a week and result in burdensome interruption of sleep and impairment of daytime function.
  • Improvement Of Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms

    Symptoms may begin at any stage of life, although the disorder is more common with increasing age. Sometimes people will experience spontaneous improvement over a period of weeks or months. Although rare, spontaneous improvement over a period of years also can occur. If these improvements occur, it is usually during the early stages of the disorder. In general, however, symptoms become more severe over time.

    Restless Legs Syndrome And Associated Conditions

    People who have both restless legs syndrome and an associated condition tend to develop more severe symptoms rapidly. In contrast, those whose restless legs syndrome is not related to any other medical condition and whose onset is at an early age show a very slow progression of the disorder and many years may pass before symptoms occur regularly.

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    3. Rheumatoid Arthritis / Joint Conditions
    4. Types of Arthritis
    5. Restless Legs Syndrome
    6. Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome Vary - Do Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome Vary?

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