Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) can show up any time of day, but many people report the same frustrating pattern: Symptoms get dramatically worse at night. If the urge to move your legs keeps you thrashing uncomfortably in bed or pacing the bedroom, unable to fall asleep, there’s a physiological reason behind it.
At Region Vein PC in Munster, IN, many patients discover that nighttime RLS is connected to an underlying circulation issue. Our renowned vein doctor, Demetrios J. Karamichos, MD, brings more than 30 years of experience diagnosing and treating the circulation problems that worsen RLS symptoms.
Here’s what you need to know about why your legs are especially troublesome at night.
Why Symptoms Surge After Dark
During the day, movement helps push blood from the legs back toward the heart. At night, everything changes. When you lie down:
- Blood flow naturally slows
- Weak vein valves allow blood to pool
- Pressure increases in the lower legs
- Nerves become more reactive
This combination leads to the classic nighttime pattern of RLS: tingling, buzzing, burning, heaviness, or an overwhelming need to move your legs.
The Circulation Connection
One of the most overlooked contributors to nighttime RLS is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI occurs when the valves inside the leg veins weaken, allowing blood to flow backward and pool in the lower legs. Increased pressure can cause varicose veins and also irritate surrounding tissues and nerves, leading to nighttime symptoms flaring.
Many people with RLS also notice:
- Evening leg heaviness
- Leg swelling by the end of the day
- Aching or throbbing when lying down
- Symptom relief after walking
- Visible varicose or spider veins
These signs often point to a circulation problem, not just a neurological one.
Why Movement Helps (Briefly) With RLS
Walking or stretching often brings temporary relief for restless legs because movement helps move pooled blood out of the legs. Once you sit or lie back down, symptoms return as circulation slows again.
When to See a Vein Specialist About Restless Legs
If your restless legs are accompanied by heaviness, swelling, visible veins, or worsening nighttime discomfort, CVI may be a contributing factor. Multiple major studies show that treating vein disease can dramatically reduce the sensations that disrupt sleep while also easing your other frustrating symptoms.
Restless Legs Evaluation in Munster
You don’t have to struggle through sleepless nights anymore. At Region Vein PC, we’re here to help you find answers and provide treatment that gives you lasting relief. Call 219-595-3095 or schedule your evaluation to get started.
