How is restless leg syndrome diagnosed?

This question was asked in Homestead, Florida on .
My partner moves a lot in her sleep, sometimes it's like a twitch and sometimes it's just constant tossing and turning at night. How do I know if she has a sleeping disorder like restless legs or if it's just difficulty sleeping because of stress or new medications?

Doctors Answers (2)

SomnoDiagnostics, Inc.
Answered on: 9/3/2013 1

Restless Leg Syndrome can be diagnosed using a sleep study with electrodes applied to your legs. You should see a Board Certified Sleep Specialist to discuss your symptoms and complaints.

Vector Sleep Diagnostics Center
Answered on: 8/30/2013

Restless leg is diagnosis based on symptoms. There is no specific test for that but there are certain medical conditions and medications that may provoke it. So sometimes there is a need to perform tests to exclude those conditions. In fact restless leg syndrome occurs not in sleep but present during awake state when there is an urge to move legs and movements may temporary relieve this urge. There are some other features such as worsening symptoms during inactivity and in the evening hours. But restless leg syndrome may be associated with leg movements in sleep. They are very specific and called periodic limb movements in sleep. They can be formally diagnosed during overnight sleep study. The key question is whether these movements disrupt sleep and represent a sleep disorder. Ask your partner if sleep is poor, non refreshing and if she feels tired during the daytime. If the answer is yes- talk to your doctor or sleep specialist. Best of luck to you.