Restless Legs Syndrome and Related Disorders - Diagnosis

Akathisia. Akathisia is a state of restlessness or agitation and feelings of muscle quivering. A condition called hypotensive akathisia is caused by failure in the autonomic nervous system. Unlike RLS, it occurs at any time of the day and usually only when the patient is sitting--not lying down. Akathisia itself can also be caused by drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses, with anti-nausea drugs, or when drugs to treat Parkinson's disease are withdrawn.

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Painful Legs and Moving Toes Syndrome. A rare disorder affecting one or both legs, painful legs and moving toes syndrome is marked by a constant deep, throbbing ache in the limbs and involuntary toe movements. The discomfort may be mild or severe. It intensifies with activity and usually ceases during sleep. In most cases the cause is unknown, though it may arise from spinal injuries or herpes zoster infection. The condition is hard to treat, although the drug baclofen, combined with either clonazepam or carbamazepine, has shown some success. Other therapies that may help include orthotics for the shoes and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Meralgia Paresthetica. An uncommon nerve condition, meralgia paresthetic is characterized by numbness, pain, tingling, or burning on the front and side of the thigh. It usually occurs on one side and is thought to be due to compression of the thigh nerve as it passes through the pelvis. It occurs most commonly between the ages 30 and 60, though all ages can be affected. It often goes away on its own with conservative treatment.