What can I do about restless leg syndrome?!
Question: There are no cures for primary restless legs syndrome, although various treatments often can help relieve symptoms. Treatment for secondary restless legs syndrome (RLS caused by an underlying medical problem) involves treating the underlying cause.
The First Step
The first line of defense against restless legs syndrome is to avoid substances or foods that may be causing or worsening the problem. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. This may partly relieve your symptoms. In addition, review all medications you are taking with your doctor to determine if any of these drugs could be causing the problem.
Any underlying medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, kidney disease, thyroid disease, varicose veins, or Parkinson's disease, should be treated. Dietary supplements to correct vitamin or mineral deficiency may be recommended. For some people, these treatments are all that is needed to relieve RLS symptoms.
You may also benefit from physical therapy and self-care treatments, such as stretching, taking hot or cold baths, whirlpool baths, applying hot or cold packs to the affected area, limb massage, or vibratory or electrical stimulation of the feet and toes before bedtime. Exercise and relaxation techniques also may be helpful.
In many cases, personal habits can make a sleeping disorder like restless legs syndrome worse. Sometimes they are the main cause of the problem.
Here are 10 steps you can take to lessen the symptoms of RLS and get you sleeping better.
Avoid or limit alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine all together or at least for several hours before bedtime.
Take medications (prescription and nonprescription) only as directed by your doctor.
Exercise every day.
Stretch your legs at the beginning and end of each day.
Massage your legs regularly.
Avoid eating a heavy meal close to bedtime.
Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Avoid daytime naps.
Use your bed only for sleeping or sex.
Try not to use bedtime as worry time.
Answers: There are no cures for primary restless legs syndrome, although various treatments often can help relieve symptoms. Treatment for secondary restless legs syndrome (RLS caused by an underlying medical problem) involves treating the underlying cause.
The First Step
The first line of defense against restless legs syndrome is to avoid substances or foods that may be causing or worsening the problem. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. This may partly relieve your symptoms. In addition, review all medications you are taking with your doctor to determine if any of these drugs could be causing the problem.
Any underlying medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, kidney disease, thyroid disease, varicose veins, or Parkinson's disease, should be treated. Dietary supplements to correct vitamin or mineral deficiency may be recommended. For some people, these treatments are all that is needed to relieve RLS symptoms.
You may also benefit from physical therapy and self-care treatments, such as stretching, taking hot or cold baths, whirlpool baths, applying hot or cold packs to the affected area, limb massage, or vibratory or electrical stimulation of the feet and toes before bedtime. Exercise and relaxation techniques also may be helpful.
In many cases, personal habits can make a sleeping disorder like restless legs syndrome worse. Sometimes they are the main cause of the problem.
Here are 10 steps you can take to lessen the symptoms of RLS and get you sleeping better.
Avoid or limit alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine all together or at least for several hours before bedtime.
Take medications (prescription and nonprescription) only as directed by your doctor.
Exercise every day.
Stretch your legs at the beginning and end of each day.
Massage your legs regularly.
Avoid eating a heavy meal close to bedtime.
Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Avoid daytime naps.
Use your bed only for sleeping or sex.
Try not to use bedtime as worry time.
There are products available now, one called Mirapex - look on google for "restless leg syndrome treatment" - you will see quite a bit.
gabapentin works good for restless leg