Sleep Disorders

Periodic Leg Movements

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of periodic leg movements begins with a physical examination and medical history. Your doctor will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing.

Sometimes, people suffering from this condition may be unaware of their nighttime movements and may only complain about restless sleep and daytime fatigue. In these cases, a person may need to be observed overnight while he or she sleeps during a polysomnogram, a test that records your sleep patterns and their bioelectrical processes. This test is often used to determine the cause of excessive daytime sleepiness, such as periodic leg movements.

Please see Overnight Sleep Study to learn more.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated November 4, 2007