Because the issue with RLS is how it originates in your brain, the key factor is distracting those impulses coming from your brain.
A hot bath or shower provides two stages of relief, he adds. Another way to help your brain focus on other sensations would be compression wraps. Berkowski says. Even rubbing or massaging the legs can provide temporary relief.
Using your diet to safely correct any iron deficiency can help alleviate RLS symptoms. The catch, Dr. Berkowski says, is knowing what your iron levels are. If you are iron deficient, though, there are plenty of healthy ways to get iron through your diet. When it comes to what not to consume, Dr. Berkowski lists the four things you should avoid to help ease your RLS symptoms:. Additionally, if you have wheat or dairy allergies but still consume those products, that could also be a source of trouble.
Results from research on this device have been conflicted. A vibrating pad called the Relaxis pad may not relieve your RLS symptoms, but it could help you sleep better 4. You place the pad on the affected area, such as your leg, and set it to the desired vibration intensity. The pad vibrates for 30 minutes and then shuts itself off However, it has been shown to improve sleep In fact, one study found it to be as effective in improving sleep as the four FDA-approved RLS drugs: ropinirole, pramipexole, gabapentin, and rotigotine The Relaxis pad is available only by prescription from your doctor.
It may not treat actual RLS symptoms, but its counterstimulation effects could help you sleep better. This painless treatment is called near-infrared spectroscopy NIRS. With NIRS, light beams with long wavelengths are used to penetrate the skin. The light causes blood vessels to dilate, increasing circulation One theory posits that RLS is caused by low oxygen levels in the affected area.
Several studies have found this treatment effective. Both circulation and RLS symptoms showed significant improvement Another showed that people treated with twelve minute treatments of NIRS over four weeks also had significantly reduced symptoms of RLS.
Symptoms were improved up to four weeks after treatment ended A NIRS device could cost several hundred dollars, but the long-lasting effects of this noninvasive treatment could be worth the investment. The above treatments have some research to support their use. Other treatments have less evidence, but may still work for some people with RLS. They include the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation These organizations suggest taking a hot or cold bath before going to bed, or applying hot or cold packs to your legs This could explain the benefits of these hot or cold treatments.
So far, studies have been limited and more research is needed, but the results are promising 4 , 41 , Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation rTMS sends magnetic impulses to certain areas of the brain.
One theory is that the impulses increase the release of dopamine in the brain. The sessions significantly improved their RLS symptoms and improved their sleep. The results lasted for at least two months after the treatment ended With transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS , a device sends small electrical currents to parts of your body to help relieve pain.
The idea is that like the Relaxis vibrating pad, it uses counterstimulation. Acupuncture can be helpful in the treatment of many health conditions, and RLS might be one of them.
A study of 38 people with RLS who were treated with acupuncture for six weeks showed that their abnormal leg activity from RLS was greatly reduced For people with certain circulatory issues, surgery could be the most effective treatment for their RLS Varicose veins are enlarged blood vessels, often in the legs, that overfill with blood. As a result, the blood pools in your legs. In a study, 35 people with SVI and RLS had a procedure called endovenous laser ablation to treat their varicose veins.
Of the 35 people, 84 percent of them had their RLS symptoms significantly improved or completely eliminated by the surgery Of course, you can try hot and cold treatments on your own, but your doctor can tell you more about the other treatments and whether they might be able to help you. RLS can cause significant discomfort, sleep issues, and problems with daily functioning, so treatment should be a priority. Your first step should be to try the at-home options on this list.
Your doctor can provide more information about each of these treatments and which one — or ones — might be a good choice for you. Keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for another, and you may need to try several different drugs or treatments.
Keep trying until you find the treatment plan that works for you The FDA has approved gabapentin enacarbil for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS, This drug appears to be as effective as dopaminergic treatment discussed below and, at least to date, there have been no reports of problems with a progressive worsening of symptoms due to medication called augmentation.
Other anti-seizure drugs such as the standard form of gabapentin and pregabalin can decrease such sensory disturbances as creeping and crawling as well as nerve pain. Dizziness, fatigue, and sleepiness are among the possible side effects. Recent studies have shown that pregabalin is as effective for RLS treatment as the dopaminergic drug pramipexole, suggesting this class of drug offers equivalent benefits. Dopaminergic agents.
These drugs, which increase dopamine effect, are largely used to treat Parkinson's disease. They have been shown to reduce symptoms of RLS when they are taken at nighttime. These drugs are generally well tolerated but can cause nausea, dizziness, or other short-term side effects. Levodopa plus carbidopa may be effective when used intermittently, but not daily.
Although dopamine-related medications are effective in managing RLS symptoms, long-term use can lead to worsening of the symptoms in many individuals. With chronic use, a person may begin to experience symptoms earlier in the evening or even earlier until the symptoms are present around the clock. Over time, the initial evening or bedtime dose can become less effective, the symptoms at night become more intense, and symptoms could begin to affect the arms or trunk. Fortunately, this apparent progression can be reversed by removing the person from all dopamine-related medications.
Another important adverse effect of dopamine medications that occurs in some people is the development of impulsive or obsessive behaviors such as obsessive gambling or shopping.
Should they occur, these behaviors can be improved or reversed by stopping the medication. Drugs such as methadone, codeine, hydrocodone, or oxycodone are sometimes prescribed to treat individuals with more severe symptoms of RLS who did not respond well to other medications. Side effects include constipation, dizziness, nausea, exacerbation of sleep apnea, and the risk of addiction; however, very low doses are often effective in controlling symptoms of RLS.
These drugs can help individuals obtain a more restful sleep. However, even if taken only at bedtime they can sometimes cause daytime sleepiness, reduce energy, and affect concentration.
Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam and lorazepam are generally prescribed to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and insomnia. Because these drugs also may induce or aggravate sleep apnea in some cases, they should not be used in people with this condition.
These are last-line drugs due to their side effects. RLS is generally a lifelong condition for which there is no cure. However, current therapies can control the disorder, minimize symptoms, and increase periods of restful sleep. Symptoms may gradually worsen with age, although the decline may be somewhat faster for individuals who also suffer from an associated medical condition. In addition, some individuals have remissions—periods in which symptoms decrease or disappear for days, weeks, months, or years—although symptoms often eventually reappear.
The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke NINDS is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. There is a relationship between genetics and RLS. A child with RLS may seem inattentive, irritable, or fidgety. They may be labeled disruptive or hyperactive. Diagnosing and treating RLS can help address these problems and improve school performance. Any dietary deficiencies must be addressed.
Children with RLS should avoid caffeine and develop good bedtime habits. If necessary, medications that affect dopamine, benzodiazepines, and anticonvulsants may be prescribed. Learn more about how children are affected by restless leg syndrome ». Try to cut high-calorie processed foods with little or no nutritional value.
Some people with symptoms of RLS are deficient in particular vitamins and minerals. It all depends on what your test results show. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, so you might also want to pair iron-rich foods with these sources of vitamin C:. Caffeine is tricky. It can trigger symptoms of RLS in some people, but actually helps others.
Try to avoid it, especially in the evening. Learn more about how your diet can relieve symptoms of restless leg syndrome ». Those strange sensations in your legs can be uncomfortable or painful. And those symptoms can make it almost impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep. In addition to working with your doctor to find relief, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of restful sleep:. Check out more tips for better sleep with restless leg syndrome ».
Symptoms of RLS can spring up for the first time during pregnancy, usually in the last trimester. Data suggests that pregnant women may have two or three times higher risk of RLS. Some possibilities are vitamin or mineral deficiencies, hormonal changes, or nerve compression. Pregnancy can also cause leg cramps and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can be hard to distinguish from RLS. You may need to be tested for iron or other deficiencies.
RLS in pregnancy usually goes away on its own within weeks after giving birth. Be sure to mention if you are breast-feeding. Learn more about how restless leg syndrome can affect pregnancy ». Both sides of the body are usually involved, but some people have it on only one side. This causes involuntary leg twitching or jerking during sleep that can last all night long. Peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, and kidney failure cause symptoms like RLS. Treating the underlying condition often helps.
The same medications can improve symptoms of both conditions. Medication used to combat fatigue associated with chronic diseases can also cause this. Medication adjustments and home remedies may help.
Anyone can have occasional leg cramps or strange sensations that come and go.
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