Restless Leg Syndrome Treatment

Effective restless leg syndrome treatment can help improve sleep for the estimated 12 million Americans who currently suffer from RLS symptoms.

Untreated restless leg syndrome can leave you exhausted.

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs. Some RLS patients report experiencing burning, tugging sensations, or the feeling of bugs crawling inside the legs. The condition can range from mild and intermittent to severe, painful, and debilitating.

The disorder affects both genders and can begin as early as infancy, although symptoms typically develop during middle age. RLS is not indicative of other neurological disorders and does not increase the risk of developing additional problems later in life.

Symptoms of RLS typically occur when the body is at rest, and symptoms are more common at night than during the day. Because many people with RLS have great difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, daytime sleepiness and exhaustion can be significant. The intense urge to move the legs caused by RLS may trigger pacing, tossing and turning, or extreme irritability and annoyance. Severe RLS may interfere with work and family relationships, and sleep deprivation may increase the risk of other medical disorders.

In most cases, the cause of restless leg syndrome is unknown. However, some medical conditions and risk factors are associated with a greater chance of developing the disorder. The strongest link appears to be genetic, with approximately half of RLS sufferers having a positive family history for the disorder, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Other possible causes and triggers of restless leg syndrome include:

• Low iron levels are linked to the development of RLS. The incidence of restless leg syndrome appears to be higher in people with anemia, and a reduction in symptoms may occur with iron supplementation.
• Certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, kidney failure, and diabetes may increase the risk of restless leg syndrome. Effective treatment of the underlying medical condition typically relieves RLS symptoms.
• Pregnancy is strongly associated with RLS, although the specific reason for this is not clear. The risk is highest in the last trimester, and symptoms usually subside within a month of giving birth. Having RLS in one pregnancy increases the risk of developing the condition again in subsequent pregnancies.
• Numerous medications are associated with restless leg syndrome, including antinausea drugs, antipsychotic medications, antiseizure drugs, and some cold and allergy products. Symptoms of RLS usually disappear once the patient stops taking the medication.
• Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol may all increase RLS symptoms in susceptible people. Eliminating or reducing use of these substances may alleviate symptoms.

Because there is no specific diagnostic test for RLS, doctors make a diagnosis based on patient history and symptoms. Restless leg syndrome treatment focuses on correcting any underlying medical conditions and managing symptoms.

Changes in diet and lifestyle are typically the first method of treatment for mild to moderate restless leg syndrome. Identifying and eliminating triggers, such as caffeine or alcohol use, and changes in sleep habits are effective for some people. A daily exercise routine may be beneficial for some sufferers, although some patients with RLS report that exercise actually worsens their symptoms. Hot baths, leg massage, heating pads, and ice packs may all provide short-term relief.

Several medications may be useful in managing the symptoms of RLS, but many of these cause other side effects that make them unattractive to many patients.

• Dopaminergic medications are the treatment of choice for most doctors and patients. These medications, many of which are drugs for Parkinson's disease, include levodopa, carbidopa, pergolide mesylate, ropinirole hydrochloride, and pramipexole. Ropinirole and pramipexole are the only medications currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat moderate to severe RLS symptoms.
• Benzodiazepines are beneficial for patients with mild to moderate, intermittent symptoms. The use of benzodiazepines, such as Valium and Klonopin, pose several risks when taken long-term. The medications may cause severe daytime sleepiness, and they can cause both physical and psychological addiction.
• Opioids, such as codeine, oxycodone, and propoxyphene, induce muscle relaxation and improve sleep, but these drugs pose many of the same risks as benzodiazepines. However, in cases of severe RLS, they may provide immediate relief from RLS symptoms while the patient waits for other medications or treatment options to take effect.
• Anticonvulsant medications, such as gabapentin and carbamazepine, help decrease sensory disturbance and improve symptoms for many people. The side effects of these medications may be severe, but usually lessen or disappear with continued treatment.

Supplementation with oral magnesium is showing promise as a treatment for some RLS sufferers, and many patients report a decrease in symptoms following acupuncture treatments. Electric nerve stimulation is another treatment option that may be useful against all severities of restless leg syndrome.

Restless leg syndrome may vanish on its own, or it may persist throughout life. Unfortunately, symptoms of RLS typically become worse with age, especially when an underlying medical condition triggers the disorder.

Restless leg syndrome treatment helps ease symptoms and improve sleep, but not all treatments are effective for all people, and many medications used to treat RLS may become less effective over time. Research is currently underway to uncover the cause of RLS, and to develop better diagnostic tools and treatment options for RLS patients.

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