Primary care doctors can be able to diagnose and treat RLS. However, he or she also sometimes may suggest consulting a sleep specialist or neurologist for efficient treatment.
Restless legs syndrome test
- Symptoms - Must have all key signs and symptoms of RLS to be diagnose with this condition.
- Other health conditions - some disease condition can cause RLS such as kidney failure, Parkinson disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pregnancy, and iron deficiency.
- Ongoing medications - Some medications can cause or worsen RLS.
- Family history - RLS tends to run in families, if any of the family members have had RLS, then the chances of having it is more.
- Physical exam – is to check for conditions that may cause RLS, just to eliminate other conditions that may be similar to it.
- Blood test - is to diagnose iron deficiency, muscle or nerve test to diagnose neurological problems.
Sometimes doctor may also like to know:
- How symptoms are affecting the quality and quantity of sleep?
- How alert during the day.
Keep a sleep diary with daily record of when going to bed, how easily fall asleep, how much sleep gets at the night, how alert during the day.
Rarely, doctor may suggest a sleep study for the diagnosis of RLS.