Restless Legs Syndrome - Diagnosis

Diagnosis

There are no specific tests for RLS but non-specific laboratory tests are used to rule out other causes such as vitamin deficiencies. According to the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there are four symptoms that are used to confirm the diagnosis.

• The symptoms are more severe at night and do not occur, or are negligible in the morning (although in extreme cases, symptoms may occur in the daytime)
• An irresistible urge to move the legs and/or arms, often associated with a sensation of pain, burning, pricking, tingling, or numbness or other unpleasant and unusual sensations
• The sensations begin following relaxation or a period of staying still and during sleep
• Temporary relief from these sensations during movement of the affected legs and/or arms