If you have RLS, you should also see a doctor if you are: Losing sleep often. Feeling depressed or anxious. Having trouble concentrating.
massaging your legs. taking a hot bath in the evening. applying a hot compress to your leg muscles. doing activities that distract your mind, such as reading or watching television.
With moderately severe RLS, your symptoms might only occur once or twice a week but often result in significant delay of sleep onset, with some disruption of daytime function. In severe cases of RLS, the symptoms occur more than twice a week. RLS can cause you to experience the following: Changes in mood.
“The most common RLS triggers are prescription and over-the-counter medications,” Dr. Buchfuhrer says. Because they block dopamine, the worst culprits include: Over-the-counter antihistamines, cold and allergy medications (Sudafed, Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer, Benadryl)
Although there's no cure for restless legs syndrome, medications and lifestyle changes can help minimize symptoms and increase restful sleep. Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and tobacco may help. Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs or using a heating pad or ice pack can also relieve symptoms.
Gabapentinoids — Pregabalin, gabapentin, and gabapentin enacarbil are all appropriate first-line therapies for chronic persistent RLS in many patients [7,49,50]. The mechanism of action in RLS is unknown.
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.
Fast facts on restless legs syndrome:
The condition is often caused by a combination of mental and physical factors. Women are more likely to be affected with RLS during pregnancy.
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.
Just rest for 3-4 days and take muscle relaxants. Avoid bending, squatting, weight lifting and exercises untill you are pain free.
It may subside after an hour or so, but it may be present for so long that sleep is disrupted. The discomfort of RLS can be described as an aching, creeping, tingling, crawling, pulling, searing, or bubbling sensation.
Up to 80% of people with RLS experience periodic limb movements of sleep, in which they move their legs 300 to 500 times a night. This activates the sympathetic nervous system, elevating heart rate and blood pressure. It also interrupts sleep, which is associated with increased heart risk.
Although RLS doesn't lead to other serious conditions, symptoms can range from barely bothersome to incapacitating. Many people with RLS find it difficult to fall or stay asleep. Severe RLS can cause marked impairment in life quality and can result in depression.
Restless legs and its symptoms are often symptoms of anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and others.
Taking magnesium and vitamin B6 supplements can reduce the severity of symptoms of RLS/WED patients and improve their sleep quality.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
For a diagnosis of RLS to be made, the following criteria must all be present: An urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by, or felt to be caused by, unpleasant sensations. Symptoms begin or worsen during periods of rest or inactivity such as lying down or sitting.
Sanyinjiao (SP6): The Leg Tai Yin Spleen Meridian—the point is located on the inner side of the leg, three inches above the ankle and posterior to the medial crest of the tibia.
Drugs that target dopamine receptors are one of the most effective treatments for RLS. Dopamine agonists can be taken in pill form approximately two hours before bedtime or administered continuously through a patch. The FDA has currently approved three dopamine agonists for RLS: pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine.
Since the symptoms of the syndrome appear or worsen in resting and immobility times, these symptoms may improve by moving. Therefore, moderate exercise can be helpful (2). Exercises like walking, massaging, stretching, swimming, and stationary cycle can help relieve symptoms (12).
Share on Pinterest High blood pressure may increase the risk of restless leg syndrome. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The authors wrote that millions of people in the USA and worldwide with RLS have a significantly raised risk for hypertension.
Restless legs syndrome is not life threatening, but severe cases can disrupt sleep (causing insomnia) and trigger anxiety and depression. The charity Restless Leg Syndrome UK (RLS-UK) provides information and support for people affected by restless legs syndrome.
You may also consider taking a supplement. Recommended chelated forms include magnesium citrate, magnesium ascorbate, magnesium orotate, magnesium glycinate, or a combination of these. Beware: some people are more sensitive to the citrate form.