A number of medications can make RLS worse. In particular, anti-nausea drugs and sedating antihistamines (like Benadryl) block the brain's dopamine receptors, causing restless legs symptoms. Antidepressants that increase serotonin and antipsychotic medications can also aggravate the condition.
If nerve cells become damaged, the amount of dopamine in the brain is reduced, which causes muscle spasms and involuntary movements. Dopamine levels naturally fall towards the end of the day, which may explain why the symptoms of restless legs syndrome are often worse in the evening and during the night.
The single most consistent finding and the strongest environmental risk factor associated with RLS is iron insufficiency. Professor Nordlander first recognized the association between iron deficiency and RLS, and reported that treatment of the iron deficiency markedly improved, if not eliminated, the RLS symptoms.
Often, there's no known cause for RLS . Researchers suspect the condition may be caused by an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, which sends messages to control muscle movement.
Presence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with presence of RLS (OR =5.085, 95% CI: 1.972–13.113), as was serum vitamin D level (OR =1.047, 95% CI: 1.014–1.082).
Conclusion: This study indicates that vitamin D supplementation improves the severity of RLS symptoms and advocates that vitamin D deficiency is conceivably associated with RLS.
Magnesium supplementation is often suggested for restless legs syndrome (RLS) or period limb movement disorder (PLMD) based on anecdotal evidence that it relieves symptoms and because it is also commonly recommended for leg cramps.
There's no cure for RLS. But if you have the disorder, lifestyle changes and medication can help improve your quality of life. The goals of RLS treatment are to prevent or relieve symptoms, improve sleep, and correct underlying conditions or habits that trigger or worsen RLS symptoms.
Gabapentinoids — Pregabalin, gabapentin, and gabapentin enacarbil are all appropriate first-line therapies for chronic persistent RLS in many patients [7,49,50].
Does having RLS increase the risk of developing PD? Since RLS affects as much as 4-10% of the US adult population, it is clear that the vast majority of those with RLS do not ever develop PD. Despite this, it still might be the case that RLS increases the risk of subsequently developing PD.
“Dopamine levels are lower at night, which may explain why restless legs syndrome symptoms are worse in the evening,” says Jacci Bainbridge, Pharm.
Taking Magnesium at Night or Before Bed
It helps to relax your muscles, and nerves while facilitating the release of melatonin — the sleep hormone. People who have Restless Leg Syndrome rely on Natural Calm before bed to relieve their condition. Natural Calm magnesium can become a soothing nighttime ritual.
In most cases, the cause of RLS is unknown (called primary RLS). However, RLS has a genetic component and can be found in families where the onset of symptoms is before age 40. Specific gene variants have been associated with RLS. Evidence indicates that low levels of iron in the brain also may be responsible for RLS.
People with restless leg syndrome (RLS) may benefit from using a weighted blanket. This is because the sensation of the blanket on your legs may override that restless leg feeling. Bear in mind that there are certain people who should avoid weighted blankets.
Forms and doses
For adolescent and adult men and women, daily doses of 270-350 mg are considered safe. Talk to a medical professional about the proper dosage for you. Magnesium sulfate can be administered via IV, though the oral supplement would likely be used instead for treating RLS.
Drug treatments
Paracetamol: Although there is not a lot of research looking at the role of paracetamol in treating RLS, it is something people often try, and many find helpful.
The top three foods to avoid are chocolate, sugary sodas, and fried foods. Additionally, you will also want to avoid any foods or beverages that contain caffeine, since this can stimulate your nerves and make your symptoms more severe. These include coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate.
Rotigotine (Neupro) and pramipexole (Mirapex) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS .
The FDA has currently approved three dopamine agonists for RLS: pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine.
These sensations can last for an hour or longer, slowly increasing in severity. While the sensations are most often bilateral, some patients experience them only on one side of the body. The most common time for RLS to occur is at night when the person lies down to sleep.
RLS is both a sleep and a neurological sensory disorder. Treatment is directed toward symptom relief.
Does Restless Legs Syndrome Ever Go Away by Itself? There are some cases of restless legs syndrome disappearing on its own. But this is rare. Instead, for most people symptoms get worse over time.