Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment

Restless legs syndrome treatment focus on treating the underlying cause of the condition. Treatment may also depend on the severity of the condition. Restless leg syndrome is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to an uncomfortable sensation. It typically happens in the evening or nighttime hours when you are sitting or lying down. Moving eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily.

Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

• Sensations that begin while resting. It usually occurs after lying down or sitting for hours, such as in a car, on an airplane, or in a movie theater.
• Relief with movement. When you move your legs, such as stretching, jiggling, pacing, or walking, the sensation of restless legs will diminish.
• Worsening of symptoms in the evening. Symptoms occur mainly at night.
• Nighttime leg twitching. Periodic limb movement of sleep, also known as restless leg syndrome, may cause your legs to twitch and kick throughout the night, possibly throughout the night.
• body chemistry may cause or worsen restless legs syndrome.

Treatments for Restless Leg Syndrome

The first line of defense against restless legs syndrome is to avoid substances or foods that may aggravate or worsen the problem. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. This may help relieve your symptoms.

Medications for restless leg syndrome are developed to treat other diseases and are available to reduce the restlessness in the legs. This includes medications that increase dopamine in the brain. Doctors may also prescribe muscle relaxants, sleep medications, and opioids.

Lifestyle and Home Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome

• Soaking in a warm bath and massaging the legs can relax the muscles.
• Use of heat or cold, or alternating use of the two, may lessen the limb sensations.
• Establish good sleep hygiene
• Getting moderate, regular exercise may relieve symptoms of RLS, but overdoing it or working out too late in the day may intensify symptoms.
• Try to avoid caffeine-containing products, including chocolate, coffee, tea, and soft drinks, for a few weeks to see if this helps.

Gabapentin for Restless Leg Syndrome

Gabapentin is an effective drug for treating and relieving the symptoms of partial focal seizures and pain from nerve damage due to shingles and painful rash in adults. It is also prescribed for patients who are having long-term restless leg syndrome. It may be especially helpful if the symptoms are perceived as less intense yet painful. Gabapentin works by improving the sleeping routine of patients having restless leg syndrome.

What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?

• Heredity. Sometimes restless leg syndrome runs in families, especially if the condition starts before age 40.
• Pregnancy. Pregnancy or hormonal changes may temporarily worsen restless leg syndrome signs and symptoms. Some women get RLS during pregnancy, especially during their last trimester. However, symptoms usually disappear after delivery.
• Iron deficiency. Even without anemia, iron deficiency can cause or worsen restless leg syndrome.
• Kidney failure. When kidneys don’t function properly, iron stores in the blood can decrease. This and other changes in