Treating Restless Leg Syndrome

Treating restless leg syndrome is about controlling the symptoms until you find the underlying cause of the disorder. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) affects men and women alike and can lead to sleeplessness and more.

Restless legs can be among the causes of sleep deprivation.

When a person suffers from RLS, moving their legs can help relieve the tension and pressure from the crawling feeling in the legs. That movement, however, interrupts sleep and prevents relaxation. The first step in treating restless leg syndrome is to discover the underlying disorder associated with the RLS.

The saying goes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you experience moderate symptoms indicative of RLS, then it is possible that lifestyle changes can help correct the issue. For example, if you smoke, then quitting smoking (an act that provides a large number of health benefits) can provide you with relief from RLS symptoms.

Alcohol consumption and caffeine consumption may also contribute to the restless leg feeling. If you suspect that you have RLS or are experiencing symptoms associated with RLS, you should see your physician for a physical and advice.

Deficiencies of minerals such as iron, magnesium and folate can cause RLS symptoms. Supplements can bring your body back into balance and relieve the symptoms the deficiency caused. Avoid self-medicating with supplements without knowing you have a deficiency. Too much of a mineral can lead to other health issues. A simple blood test at the doctor’s office can alert you to possible deficiencies you have.

Expert studies have found that people need to maintain a regular sleep schedule in order to encourage good sleep. When your sleep pattern becomes irregular, you will have trouble falling asleep and trouble waking up. Some people experience RLS primarily at night, thus shifting their schedule to sleep in the morning is one solution.

Regular, but moderate exercise can help relieve some RLS symptoms. Excessive or hard exercise can exacerbate it. So while regular exercise is beneficial, be careful to not overdo it. Some experts recommend soaking in a hot bath before bed, using a heating pad or ice pack prior to sleeping. While these methods can help reduce symptoms, they will not eliminate them.

Since RLS is often associated with an underlying condition, treating that underlying condition can help relieve the RLS symptoms. Peripheral neuropathy and diabetes are two medical conditions that can lead to RLS symptoms.

According to the Mayo Clinic, peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes numbness and pain in the hands and feet. A tingling sensation may be felt and is often the result of metabolic problems, toxin explosion, infection or traumatic injury. Peripheral neuropathy is also associated with diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot process the excess sugar. It is often treated by dietary changes and insulin injections or tablets.

There are some medications that your physician may prescribe to treat your RLS, usually after testing to find out if it is associated with another condition. These medications include dopaminergics, benzodiazepines, opioids, and anticonvulsants. These medications may have good short-term results, but may not remove all the symptoms or may simply delay symptoms to another time during the day.

In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized ropinirole as a specific treatment for RLS. The medication was originally approved for Parkinson’s treatment in 1997.

Currently, there is no cure for RLS. Treatments are not effective for everyone. If you believe you have RLS, you should contact your physician to confirm and explore possible treatment options.

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