The creepy-crawly, burning sensations and the uncontrollable need to move around that characterize the neurological disorder Restless Leg Syndrome are not only uncomfortable, but can interfere with sleep and daily functioning. The discomfort, which often borders on pain, isn't easily diagnosed, nor are home remedies always effective. However, depending on the severity of the symptoms, many people can find some relief by making some lifestyle changes. Others, those with more severe Restless Leg Syndrome, find that medical remedies are more helpful.
Instructions
Make Lifestyle Changes
1. Watch what you eat. Making some simple dietary changes is often the first step in remedying Restless Leg, especially the involuntary jerking movements that occur as you are falling asleep. Reduce your intake of caffeine, alcohol and other stimulants which inhibit blood flow. The includes not only coffee and tea, but soda and chocolate as well. Though it's not a food, reducing your nicotine intake can help as well.
2. Take a daily multi-vitamin supplement. Studies on Restless Leg Syndrome support that a lack of magnesium, iron and folate (folic acid) can contribute to the severity of symptoms. Increasing the levels of these nutrients have proven to provide relief in some patients.
3. Create a regular sleep schedule. It may sound impossible since restless legs frequently makes falling and staying asleep difficult. However, as with any sleep disorder, keeping a schedule can help your body adjust to sleeping. Many patients try to go to bed early and rise early, as symptoms typically abate in the morning.
4. Invest in a treadmill. Exercise--walking in particular--can alleviate symptoms. If your legs are particularly jittery before bedtime, incorporate a 30-minute walk on the treadmill into your nighttime routine.
5. Experiment with temperature changes. For some people a warm bath or heating pad makes the pins-and-needles sensations better, but for others it can make it worse. The same holds true for cool baths and ice-packs. Try these remedies to see if one works well for you.
Use Medical Intervention
6. Rule out other medical causes for your Restless Leg symptoms. Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, anemia, kidney problems and even pregnancy can cause the uncomfortable sensations in your legs. Often, once the peripheral disease is treated or under control, Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms lessen.
7. Speak with your doctor about whether your medications could be causing the jitters. Many drugs, including anti-emetics, anti-epileptics, anti-psychotics and even some allergy medicines can increase symptoms. Changing your prescription can often remedy the problem.
8. Investigate using medication to control symptoms. Depending on how your restless legs manifest, there are a variety of medicines your doctor can try to help you. They range from benzodiazepines to induce sleep and relaxation to opiates to control pain to ropinirole (sold as Requip), a drug used specifically for RLS and Parkinson's disease.
Tags: Restless Syndrome, Parkinson disease, restless legs, severity symptoms, with sleep