2. What is restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
• Restless legs syndrome is a disorder that makes you
feel like you must move. This feeling usually affects the
legs. But some people feel it in their arms, torso, or in a
phantom limb (the part of a limb that has been
amputated). People often describe these feelings as
tingling, "pins and needles," prickling, pulling, aching,
or crawling. When you have restless legs syndrome,
moving usually makes you feel better, at least for a
short time. For most people, this problem happens at
night when they are trying to sleep. The sensations can
lead to sleep deprivation and stress.
4. Severity of RLS symptoms
• The severity of RLS symptoms ranges from
mild to intolerable. Symptoms can come and
go and severity can also vary. The symptoms
are generally worse in the evening and at
night and less severe in the morning. For some
people, symptoms may cause severe nightly
sleep disruption that can significantly impair a
person's quality of life.
5. Who Gets Restless Legs Syndrome?
• Restless legs syndrome affects both sexes but is
more common in women and may begin at any
age, even in young children. Most people who are
affected severely are middle-aged or older.
• RLS is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. In
many people it is not diagnosed until 10 to 20
years after symptoms begin. Once correctly
diagnosed, RLS can often be treated successfully.
6. Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome
• In most cases, doctors do not know the cause of restless leg
syndrome; however, they suspect that genes play a role. About half
of people with RLS also have a family member with the condition.
• Other factors associated with the development or worsening of
restless legs syndrome include:
• Chronic diseases. Certain chronic diseases and medical conditions,
including iron deficiency, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure,
diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy often include symptoms of RLS.
Treating these conditions often gives some relief from restless legs
symptoms.
• Medications. Some types of medications, including antinausea drugs,
antipsychotic drugs, some antidepressants, and cold and allergy
medications containing antihistamines may worsen symptoms.
• Pregnancy. Some women experience RLS during pregnancy,
especially in the last trimester. Symptoms usually go away within a
month after delivery.
• Other factors, including alcohol use and sleep deprivation, may
trigger symptoms or make them worse. Improving sleep or eliminating
alcohol use in these cases may relieve symptoms.
7. Diagnosis of Restless Legs Syndrome
• There is no medical test to diagnose restless
legs syndrome; however, doctors may use
blood tests and other exams to rule out other
conditions. The diagnosis of restless legs
syndrome is based on a patient’s symptoms
and answers to questions concerning family
history of similar symptoms, medication use,
the presence of other symptoms or medical
conditions, or problems with daytime
sleepiness.
9. TAKE ACTION FOR YOUR RLS
DON’T LET RLS HURT YOUR SEX LIFE
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can take a toll on your relationship. It
can steal your sleep and make nights less comfortable for your
partner.
• Over time, that adds up. The relationship problems mainly relate to
issues with sleeping. Most people with RLS also have a condition
known as periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) -- involuntary
movement of the feet and legs.
• That can cause problems for your partner.
• When people don’t sleep well, they tend to feel fatigued, have
trouble thinking clearly, and feel more stressed. A chronic state of
sleep deprivation isn’t good for anyone, or their relationships.
• If one partner’s RLS is bad enough that it interferes with their own and
the other person’s sleep, then both people are chronically sleep
deprived.
• There are steps you can take to make sure your relationship stays
strong despite your RLS.
• It goes beyond treating your RLS or adjusting your lifestyle. It's also
about how you communicate with your partner -- in general and
about RLS.
10. TAKE ACTION FOR YOUR RLS
DON’T LET RLS HURT YOUR SEX LIFE
Ways to Keep RLS From Hurting Your Sex Life
• 1. Talk with your partner about your RLS. Help your partner
understand why you are pacing or moving around a lot.
Conversation can prevent misunderstandings, such as thinking you
just aren’t interested in him or her. Talking can also help you feel
understood and supported, which could relieve some of your
stress.
• 2. Take warm baths together. Bathing alone is fine, of course, but
bathing with your partner offers a chance for communication,
stress relief, and enjoyable intimate time together.
• 3. Enjoy a leg massage. A loving leg massage can relieve
symptoms of RLS. Expand it to a full body massage, if you like.
• 4. Have sex. Some research links orgasm to the release of the brain
chemical dopamine, which can ease RLS symptoms.
11. TAKE ACTION FOR YOUR RLS
CHANGE OF LIFE STYLE
If you've got restless legs syndrome (RLS), your daily habits can make a
difference to your condition.
Revamping your diet, exercise, and medications is just the beginning of
what you can do to improve your RLS. You might even find some help in
unexpected places.
12. TAKE ACTION FOR YOUR RLS
CHANGE OF LIFE STYLE
Lifestyle Nips for Restless Legs Syndrome
• Get hot and cold: Take a warm bath or shower before you go bed to relax.
• Move and massage: Stretch your legs before bedtime. For instance, flex your ankles to
stretch your calf muscles.Massage your legs. It's a kind of "counter-stimulation" to the
sensations of RLS.
• Review your medications:With your doctor, go over all the medications you take,
including even those that don't need a prescription.
• Be active, but don't overdo it: You need to be active, just like everyone else, for your
best health. With RLS, you should avoid sudden changes in your activity level, such as
suddenly starting to train for a marathon or quitting your usual routine.
• Back off of caffeine Alcohol: Giving up coffee, chocolate, caffeinated sodas, and
other caffeine-containing foods may help you wind down for better sleep. Alcohol
might help you fall asleep, but alcohol will also wake you up in the middle of the night.
When that happens, your restless legs may bother you even more.
• Eat a healthy diet:Everyone needs to do this, and if you have RLS, it's even more
important. Some cases of RLS are linked to not having enough iron. Supplementing
with iron may help. Magnesium supplements might also be a good idea, though it's
not clear how it helps, Vensel Rundo says. Talk to your doctor before starting
magnesium supplements, and about what dose, since too much magnesium can
cause diarrhea.
13. HOW TO GET MORE SLEEP
Upgrade your sleep habits.
• Finish eating 2-3 hours before bedtime, so you have time to digest.
• Go to bed at the same time each night.
• Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and primed for sleep.
14. Enjoy a leg massage
• A loving leg massage can relieve symptoms of
RLS. Expand it to a full body massage, if you
like.
15. Talk with your doctor
• Where to go from here:
Now that you have read this information, you
are ready to find ways to get more sleep.
If you have questions about this information,
print it out and take it with you when you visit
your doctor. You may want to mark areas or
make notes where you have questions. Your
doctor may have more suggestions on how you
can sleep better.
