How to Treat Restless Leg Syndrome

Do you often feel restless when you sit down or lying down? Then you might have restless leg syndrome. Also known as RLS, restless leg syndrome is a condition wherein you feel uncomfortable when you sit or lie down even for just a few minutes. It makes people want to stand up and walk around in order to make them feel comfortable. Usually, moving around will temporarily relieve the restless feeling on your legs.

Restless leg syndrome can be very troublesome for people who have them. It can make work, school, and especially travelling difficult. It also can disrupt sleep which often leads to daytime drowsiness, poor concentration and stress. RLS begins at any age and that it is more common with women. The worst part is that it worsens with age, making activities that require sitting harder and harder.

There are different causes for restless leg syndrome, and sometimes the cause is not known. Restless leg syndrome also runs in families, especially if starts at an early age. If you experience it for the first time during pregnancy, then there is a huge chance that the hormonal change during pregnancy is the cause. The great news is that the symptoms usually disappear after delivery. Other causes or RLS are peripheral neuropathy, iron deficiency and kidney failure.

RLS is usually not caused by a serious medical condition, so there are several home remedies and self-care options you can explore. Relaxing your legs muscles will greatly help prevent the worsening of symptoms. A warm bath or a relaxing massage at night can help prevent sleep disturbances. Applying alternating warm and cold packs on your legs can also diminish the sensation on your legs so you will feel less restless. Stress, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol can both aggravate and trigger the symptoms of RLS so it is extremely important that you avoid them. If you can’t avoid stressful activities, then you should try learning relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing exercises, and meditation. Getting regular and moderate exercise is also helpful for relieving the symptoms, but make sure that you do not do it too late in the day or too much exercise because these can worsen the symptoms. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers when the twitching really bothers you, as these can help relieve the sensation.

If your main problem with RLS is the disturbance in your sleep, then establishing a good sleep hygiene can be very beneficial for improving your sleep. Good sleep hygiene means establishing a quiet, comfortable and cool environment for sleep. It also involves regularly going to sleep and waking up at the same time. Staying mentally alert in the evening is also helpful, so keep your mind preoccupied with your hobbies to prevent RLS from worsening at night.

Because restless leg syndrome can be caused by different factors, it is important that you should go see a physician. Diagnostic tests may be needed to determine the cause. The physician may also prescribe several types of medications for you. Restless leg syndrome is nothing to be ashamed about. It is a real medical condition, and often times it is a lifelong condition. Don’t hesitate to seek help and tell your loved ones about your condition.