Restless Leg Syndrome in Vienna, VA

If you experience an uncomfortable urge to move your legs when sitting or lying down—especially in the evening or at night—you may be experiencing Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). The condition can make it difficult to relax, fall asleep, or remain asleep and may leave you feeling tired during the day.

At NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates, our sleep medicine specialists provide evaluation and treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome in Vienna, VA, as well as other conditions that can interfere with healthy, restorative sleep.

If restless or uncomfortable legs are keeping you awake, schedule an evaluation at our convenient Vienna sleep medicine office.

NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates

📍 Vienna Office
124 Park Street SE, Suite 203
Vienna, VA 22180
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📞 571-367-0000

Office Hours:

Mon – Fri: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Sat & Sun: Closed

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless Legs Syndrome, sometimes called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological sleep-related movement disorder characterized by an irresistible or difficult-to-control urge to move the legs.

The sensations typically occur or become worse when a person is resting, such as while sitting, lying in bed, watching television, traveling, or trying to fall asleep.

Moving the legs, stretching or walking may temporarily relieve the discomfort. Because symptoms frequently become more noticeable at night, RLS can significantly disrupt sleep.

Common Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

RLS symptoms can vary considerably from person to person. Some patients have occasional mild symptoms, while others experience symptoms frequently enough to interfere with sleep and daily activities.

Common symptoms include:

• Strong or persistent urge to move the legs
• Uncomfortable sensations deep within the legs
• Crawling, pulling, tingling, aching or throbbing sensations
• Symptoms that begin or worsen while resting
• Increased symptoms during the evening or nighttime
• Temporary relief from walking, stretching or moving the legs
• Difficulty falling asleep because of leg discomfort
• Repeated nighttime awakenings
• Restless or fragmented sleep
• Daytime tiredness resulting from disrupted sleep

Some people find it difficult to describe exactly what their legs feel like. The pattern of when the symptoms occur and what relieves them can therefore be particularly important when evaluating possible RLS.

When Should You See a Sleep Specialist for Restless Legs?

Occasional leg discomfort does not necessarily mean you have Restless Legs Syndrome. However, you should consider an evaluation when symptoms occur regularly or interfere with your ability to sleep.

Schedule a Restless Legs Syndrome evaluation in Vienna if you experience recurring leg sensations that:

• Become worse when you sit or lie down
• Frequently occur in the evening or at bedtime
• Improve when you move your legs
• Make it difficult to fall asleep
• Wake you during the night
• Cause you to repeatedly get out of bed and walk
• Lead to persistent daytime fatigue or sleepiness
• Are becoming more frequent or severe

A sleep specialist can evaluate whether your symptoms are consistent with RLS or could be associated with another sleep or medical condition.

What Causes Restless Legs Syndrome?

There isn’t always a single identifiable cause of RLS. In some people, the condition may have a genetic component, particularly when symptoms begin earlier in life.

Restless Legs Syndrome may also be associated with certain medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, medications or other factors.

During your evaluation, your sleep specialist may consider factors such as:

• Family history of RLS
• Iron levels or iron deficiency
• Current medications
• Pregnancy
• Kidney disease
• Neurological conditions
• Sleep habits and sleep deprivation
• Other sleep disorders

Determining whether another factor is contributing to your symptoms is an important part of developing an appropriate treatment plan.

Restless Legs Syndrome and Iron

Iron status can be an important consideration in patients with RLS. Your sleep specialist may recommend laboratory testing when appropriate to evaluate iron stores and identify a possible deficiency.

Patients should not begin taking high-dose iron supplements simply because they suspect RLS. Testing and medical guidance can help determine whether supplementation is appropriate.

Restless Legs Syndrome vs. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) are related but different conditions.

RLS generally causes uncomfortable sensations and an urge to move the legs while a person is awake and resting.

Periodic limb movements are repetitive movements that occur during sleep. Because the person is asleep, they may not realize the movements are happening. A bed partner may notice repeated kicking or leg movements during the night.

Some people with RLS also experience periodic limb movements during sleep, but having one condition does not necessarily mean you have the other.

A sleep medicine evaluation can help distinguish between these and other causes of disturbed sleep.

Can Restless Legs Syndrome Cause Insomnia?

Yes. RLS symptoms commonly appear when someone lies down and attempts to sleep. The repeated need to move the legs can make falling asleep particularly difficult.

People with RLS may also wake during the night and need to stretch or walk before they can return to sleep.

Over time, these repeated disruptions may contribute to insomnia, unrefreshing sleep, difficulty concentrating and daytime fatigue.

If you experience both restless legs and persistent difficulty sleeping, evaluating the underlying cause of your sleep disruption can be more useful than simply treating sleeplessness itself.

Could Another Sleep Disorder Be Affecting Your Sleep?

Restless legs are not the only reason someone may experience poor-quality sleep.

NOVA Pulmonary’s Vienna sleep specialists evaluate a wide range of sleep disorders, including:

• Restless Legs Syndrome
• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
• Insomnia
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Central Sleep Apnea
• Narcolepsy
• Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Hypersomnia
• Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
• Snoring
• Parasomnias
• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

When symptoms overlap, a comprehensive sleep evaluation can help determine which condition—or combination of conditions—is interfering with your sleep.

How Is Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosed?

There isn’t one single test that diagnoses every case of Restless Legs Syndrome. Diagnosis generally begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms and medical history.

During your RLS evaluation at our Vienna office, your sleep specialist may ask:

• When do the sensations occur?
• Do they become worse when resting?
• Are symptoms worse at night?
• Does moving your legs provide relief?
• How frequently do symptoms occur?
• Are the symptoms interfering with your sleep?
• Are you experiencing daytime fatigue or sleepiness?
• What medications and supplements are you taking?
• Does anyone in your family have similar symptoms?

Laboratory testing may be recommended when an underlying deficiency or medical condition is suspected.

A sleep study is not routinely required solely to diagnose RLS. However, sleep testing may sometimes be appropriate when symptoms suggest another sleep disorder or when periodic limb movements, sleep apnea or another condition may also be contributing to disrupted sleep.

Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment in Vienna, VA

Treatment depends on the severity and frequency of your symptoms and whether an underlying contributing factor can be identified.

Your personalized treatment plan may include addressing contributing medical conditions, reviewing medications, correcting an identified deficiency, improving sleep habits or considering medications specifically used to manage RLS when appropriate.

Lifestyle recommendations may also include:

• Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Getting regular physical activity
• Avoiding excessive caffeine, particularly later in the day
• Limiting alcohol
• Stretching the legs
• Walking when symptoms occur
• Using massage, warm baths or other relaxation techniques

Treatment should be individualized because what works well for one person may not be appropriate for another.

Why Choose NOVA Pulmonary for Restless Legs Syndrome in Vienna?

NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates provides comprehensive sleep medicine services for patients throughout Vienna and Northern Virginia.

Patients choose our Vienna sleep medicine practice for:

• Experienced sleep medicine specialists
• Evaluation of RLS and other sleep-related movement disorders
• Comprehensive sleep disorder evaluations
• Home and in-lab sleep testing when clinically appropriate
• Evaluation for overlapping sleep conditions
• Individualized treatment recommendations
• Convenient Vienna, Virginia location
• Coordinated pulmonary and sleep medicine care

Our goal is not simply to address nighttime symptoms, but to identify factors that may be preventing you from getting consistent, restorative sleep.

Restless Legs Syndrome Specialist Near Me

If you’re searching for a Restless Legs Syndrome specialist near Vienna, VA, NOVA Pulmonary provides convenient sleep medicine care from our Park Street office.

Our Vienna location is convenient for patients from Vienna, Tysons, McLean, Oakton, Fairfax, Merrifield, Falls Church and surrounding Northern Virginia communities.

The office is located near downtown Vienna with convenient access from Route 123 and I-66.

Directions & Parking Information

Our Vienna office is located on Park Street SE near the Vienna Community Center and historic downtown Vienna.

Free parking available near the building
Elevator access to Suite 203
Easily accessible from Route 123 and I-66
Minutes from Tysons Corner

If you need assistance locating our office, please call and our staff will guide you.

Serving Vienna and Nearby Communities

Our Vienna office proudly serves patients throughout:

• Vienna
• Tysons
• Oakton
• McLean
• Fairfax
• Falls Church
• Merrifield
• Dunn Loring
• Annandale
• Burke
• Centreville
• Chantilly
• Reston

Conveniently located in Vienna, our office is easily accessible from Route 123, I-66, and surrounding Northern Virginia communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restless Legs Syndrome

What does Restless Legs Syndrome feel like?

People describe RLS differently. Common descriptions include crawling, tingling, pulling, aching or an uncomfortable sensation deep inside the legs accompanied by a strong urge to move them.

Why are my restless legs worse at night?

A characteristic pattern of RLS is that symptoms tend to become more noticeable during periods of rest and are commonly worse during the evening or nighttime.

Does walking help Restless Legs Syndrome?

Movement frequently provides temporary relief. People with RLS often find that walking, stretching or moving their legs reduces symptoms while they are moving.

Is Restless Legs Syndrome the same as leg cramps?

No. A leg cramp generally involves a sudden, painful muscle contraction. RLS more commonly produces uncomfortable sensations and an urge to move the legs rather than a sustained muscle contraction.

Can low iron cause Restless Legs Syndrome?

Low iron stores can be associated with RLS in some patients. Your sleep specialist may recommend appropriate laboratory testing based on your symptoms and medical history.

Do I need a sleep study for Restless Legs Syndrome?

Not necessarily. RLS is often diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history. A sleep study may be recommended when another sleep disorder is suspected or additional information about nighttime movements or sleep disruption is needed.

Can Restless Legs Syndrome affect daytime activities?

Yes. When RLS repeatedly interferes with sleep, some people experience daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating, irritability or reduced productivity.

Can Restless Legs Syndrome be treated?

Yes. Treatment depends on the cause, frequency and severity of symptoms. Management may involve lifestyle changes, correcting an underlying deficiency or medical problem, reviewing medications, and prescription treatment when appropriate.

Where can I get evaluated for Restless Legs Syndrome in Vienna, VA?

NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates provides sleep medicine evaluations at 124 Park Street SE, Suite 203, Vienna, VA 22180.

Schedule a Restless Legs Syndrome Evaluation in Vienna, VA

If uncomfortable or restless legs are preventing you from falling asleep or waking you repeatedly during the night, consider scheduling a comprehensive sleep evaluation.

The sleep medicine specialists at NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates evaluate Restless Legs Syndrome and other sleep disorders to determine what may be interfering with your sleep and identify appropriate treatment options.

NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates is committed to providing excellent care in all aspects of Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Disorders. With offices located in Lansdowne and Dulles, South Riding, we offer care for the entire Northern Virginia region, serving locations from Chantilly, Fairfax, Vienna, Centreville, Manassas, Gainesville to Reston, Sterling, Leesburg, Ashburn, Brambleton, Purcellville and more.