restless leg syndrome,restless leg syndrome treatment,rsl,restless leg syndrome remedies,symptoms

1. 1. Signs to look out for Restless Leg Syndrome.
2. Some stretches for Restless Leg Syndrome.
3. Self –Help treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome.
4. 5 common myths about Restless Leg Syndrome.
5. Latest in Research on Restless Leg Syndrome
6. Is Restless Leg Syndrome Hereditary in Nature?
7. How Diet and Exercise can help Restless Leg Syndrome?
8. What role does lifestyle play in Restless Leg Syndrome?
9. Medications used in treating Restless Leg Syndrome.
10. Importance of good sleep in Restless Leg Syndrome.
Cure restless leg syndrome

2. Signs to look out for Restless Leg Syndrome.
Restless leg Syndrome as the name suggests is associated with the unpleasant
sensations in the legs. These sensations are of varied nature and can range from
burning, aching, itching, and tingling to even numbness and no sensations at all. Not
only these sensations differ from person to person they can vary in their intensity and
frequency. One thing that is common in all cases of RLS is a strong urge to move the
legs. Movement brings immediate relief though it may be temporary and sensations
may return as soon as the movement is stopped.
Another distinctive feature of this problem is that it is most dominant or frequent in the
periods of rest or inactivity. Not only this, the symptoms seem to worsen when a person
is sitting, lying down or trying to relax. This is especially troublesome as people are
restricted in the movement while travelling or during meetings etc. and this problem
keeps getting worse and worse. While immediate relief can be obtained by getting up
and moving but where this is not possible, a person may divert the mind by engaging in
some other activity such as knitting, solving crossword or playing a video game etc.
RLS may also be called a nocturnal problem as it is either not present in the mornings or
is very mild and infrequent. The real trouble starts in the evening with the gradual
worsening of the symptoms as the night approaches. At night a person suffering from
RLS may find it difficult to sleep due to restlessness resulting in disruption of sleep and
insomnia in extreme cases. Sleep disorders or sleep related problems are the most
serious issues associated with RLS and an affected person may be impaired in their
ability to perform to an optimum level.
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3. Some stretches for Restless Leg Syndrome.
Although it is commonly believed that RLS is a neurological problem, the evidence in this
regards is inconclusive. There are also some who believe RLS to be a result of insufficient
blood circulation. Whatever is the cause, exercise has been found to be very effective in
dealing with the symptoms of RLS. Simple stretching exercise can help a lot in alleviating
these symptoms. Here is a list of three stretches for you to get started;
• Calf Stretch: Stand against a wall and stretch out your arms. Elbows are to be nearly
straight and palms shall be flat against the wall. Slightly bend the right knee and
move the left foot back a foot or two so that the heel and foot are flat on the floor.
Stay in this position for about 20-30 seconds. Come back to upright position and
now repeat the stretch with the other leg. Do a few repetitions without over
stretching yourself.
• Hip Stretch: Take a chair and place it against the wall for support. Raise your left
foot and place it squarely on the chair. Now keeping the spine straight, slowly press
your pelvis forward so that you can feel a stretch in the thigh of right leg. Stay in
this position for about 20-30 seconds. Come back to normal position and now
repeat the stretch with the other leg. Do a few repetitions while alternating legs.
• Front Thigh Stretch: In this stretch one can stand parallel to a wall to balance
themselves. Keeping one leg straight, bend the other leg so that you can hold its
ankle and bring it closer to your hip. Stay in this position for about 20-30 seconds.
Come back to normal position and now repeat the stretch with the other leg. Do a
few repetitions like this.
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4. Self –Help treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome
RLS is a permanent and lifelong condition and a person suffering from it has to learn
ways to deal with it. This condition is more common in its mild or moderate form where
medication in not normally prescribed. Medication may provide immediate relief but it
has side effects and as such it is not recommended for long term use. In such a situation,
it is best for a person to look for self help treatments.
• One must be careful in their eating and drinking habits. A wide ranging diet rich in
iron, folate and other minerals and vitamins is very essential. Drinking plenty of
water and avoiding caffeine based beverages is strictly advised.
• Alcohol and other stimulants or sedatives are to be equally avoided. Any
medications based on these should not be taken.
• Stress can be a big aggravating factor in RLS symptoms. Practice some form of
relaxation such as meditation etc. to reduce stress.
• An active work setting can be another solution for those experiencing daytime
symptoms. Take frequent stretch breaks at work.
• It has been found that pressure can help in reliving some discomfort of restless legs.
You may try wearing compression socks or stockings to see if they help.
• It is important that your friends, family members and co-workers are aware of your
condition. This is likely to make them more accommodating and as a result you will
be more comfortable.
• In situations where movement is restricted such as in movies or while travelling in
plane or train, it is advisable to take an aisle seat so that you are free to get up and
move.
The treatments listed here may not completely erase the symptoms but if a disciplined
approach is followed, relief can be obtained to a great extent.
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5. 5 Common Myths about Restless Leg Syndrome
Despite the fact that about 10% of U.S. population suffers from RLS, the condition often
goes undiagnosed. For most patients the condition is merely an annoyance or as serious
as an itchy toe. This lack of awareness has led to several misconceptions about this
problem. The five most common myths are listed below;
• RLS is a Concoction of Pharmaceutical Giants to sell their Drugs: Drug Company
advertising has in fact helped in increasing awareness of this condition. The experts
believe that RLS is a real condition, established after a lot of research and efforts are
on to create a laboratory test to confirm patient diagnosis.
• Symptoms are always mild: This is a common misconception especially with those
who are not the sufferers. The truth is that the disease is progressive and it only
becomes worse with age.
• RLS affects only pregnant women: RLS is found to be common in pregnant women
but in pregnant women this problem is mostly temporary and often disappears after
the delivery. For majority of patients it is a lifelong condition and it often worsens
with age.
• RLS is hereditary and runs in family: There is a strong relation of RLS with genetics,
and up to two thirds of patients have some familial connection. However
researchers are not sure as to how much of this is caused by genes or if there is any
connection at all.
• RLS affects only adults: Though the condition is definitely more prominent in adults
but there are a sizable number of children who exhibit its symptoms. About 75% of
children affected with RLS were found deficient in iron which has been attributed to
presence of lactic acid in their milk, interfering iron absorption.
It is important that a person remains vigilant of these and other myths and shall always
have a true picture of their condition. If there is some doubt regarding any symptom, it
is always best to consult a doctor and have it checked and properly diagnosed.
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6. Latest in Research on Restless Leg Syndrome
When a person is dealing with a problem such as RLS which is a life-long condition
without a permanent cure, it is important that one keeps themselves aware of all the
latest developments in this area.
• A group of scientists from US, Canada and Europe studied about 5000 RLS patients and
7280 patients without it. This study was published in PLoS Genetics in July 2011 and lists
new Genetic risk factors for this disorder. The scientists have uncovered two new
genetic mutations that play a role in RLS, although their exact connection is still
uncertain.
• A Harvard University Study was published in the Journal of Hypertension in October
2011. In this study the researchers analyzed data from 65,500 female nurses with
average age below 50 and the results reveal that middle aged women who experience
RLS are 41% more likely to have hypertension than women without RLS symptoms.
• In a study by Dr.Mauro Manconi of Vita-Salute University in Milan, published in medical
journal on Neurology in December 2010, it has been indicated that women who suffer
RLS symptoms during their first pregnancy are more likely to suffer them in future
pregnancies as well. Moreover women with RLS during pregnancy were four times more
likely to get it later in life than those who didn’t have it.
• Dr.Arshad Jahangir, M.D., professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Arizona, conducted a
study in 2010 on 584 patients with RLS. The patient’s leg twitches at night were
measured and compared with their echocardiograms. The results indicated that patients
with severest symptoms of RLS were more likely to suffer from heart ailments.
There is more and more research being done to see how certain disorders affect one
another. One cannot take the risk of treating a problem in isolation and shall be aware of its
wide ranging consequences.
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7. Is Restless Leg Syndrome Hereditary in Nature?
RLS has been a very perturbing problem for medical fraternity. No one was able to pin point
the exact cause o this condition. For a long time, there is a debate going on regarding the
hereditary nature of this syndrome. It is well known that more than 60% cases of RLS are
familial i.e. the syndrome was present in more than one family member. Many studies have
been conducted in the past to establish a reliable genetic connection but the results
remained inconclusive. However two recent studies published in top medical journals have
indicated a strong genetic link responsible for the symptoms of restless legs.
In the first study published in New England Journal of Medicine, blood samples from more
than 1000 Icelanders and Americans were analyzed. The DNA of people suffering from RLS
was compared to DNA of people without the symptoms. A certain variation in the human
genome was detected which probably accounted for 50% of cases.
In the second study published in Nature Genetics, the DNA of 400 Germans and Canadians
with a family history of the syndrome were compared the DNA of 1600 who did not have it.
This study found variation in three areas of genome. It identifies the same gene variation
found in the first study as well as two others. These were also found to be responsible for
50% increase in the risk of the syndrome.
These studies are a great advance on the previous research and provide a big blow to the
normal misconception that RLS symptoms exist more in mind than in body. It is now
abundantly clear that this problem is inherited through genetic variations. Although the
influence of the affected genes on the response of the brain is still uncertain but the
scientists believe that this discovery will now lead to developing effective treatment.
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8. How Diet and Exercise can help Restless Leg Syndrome?
RLS is a common problem with one in ten people suffering from its symptoms. It is different
from other ailments as the exact nature of its origin is still not fully understood. It was
earlier thought that RLS is purely a neurological problem and medication is the only
treatment. However various studies in this field have shown that there a number of
contributing factors leading to this condition.
One of the main factors responsible for RLS is the deficiency of certain vital minerals such as
iron, folate and magnesium in the body. It is therefore important to eat a wide ranging diet
in all essential nutrients. In general one shall include a lot of leafy vegetables such as
spinach, fruits like apple, whole wheat products and some portion of cereals in one’s diet. In
addition one may need food supplements to boost up the body strength but these shall be
taken only under the guidance of a trained dietician or on recommendation of a doctor.
Alcohol, caffeine and other stimulants are also known to aggravate the symptoms and as
such these must be avoided completely or their intake reduced to minimum possible.
The most common feature in this condition is an irresistible urge to move the body as it
provides immediate relief from the unpleasant sensations. It has been found that some
form of regular exercise is beneficial for all the patients of RLS. There are many light
exercises which a patient of RLS may try to get immediate as well as long term relief from
their symptoms. Any exercise routine should include walking as it tones up the muscles of
entire body and promotes blood circulation. In addition, one may incorporate stretching as
well as aerobic exercises in their schedule. Before going to bed, some calf stretches are
helpful to relieve stress from legs and reduce night time jerking and disruption of sleep.
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9. What role does lifestyle play in Restless Leg Syndrome?
In today’s world a person’s lifestyle has a great bearing on all aspects of their life. Hectic
pace, abnormal work hours and tight deadlines play havoc on an individual’s health. Stress,
which is a byproduct of such a lifestyle, is one of the major contributors to RLS. It has been
observed that changes in lifestyle can go a long way in not only alleviating the symptoms of
RLS but also in increasing general well being of an individual.
The most important aspect of lifestyle that a patient of RLS shall immediately attend to is
their sleep. Following a regular sleep routine such as retiring to bed at same time in the
evening and getting up at regular time in the morning can reduce the night time disruptions
to a great extent. In some cases the patients can also get relief by delaying their sleep cycle
i.e. by getting up late in the morning.
Another crucial factor contributing to RLS is the intake of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco
based products. The patients of RLS will do well to completely avoid these substances but in
any case their amount shall be reduced to as little as possible. Other sedatives and certain
drugs such as anti-nausea, anti-depressants, neuroleptics etc. should also be avoided as
these aggravate the problem. In fact a person suffering from this syndrome must be
especially careful about the diet which should include lots of vitamins and minerals.
The symptoms seem to be more pronounced during periods of inactivity and relaxation.
Thus patients of this syndrome should keep themselves busy and mentally engaged.
Concentration on some task can provide temporarily relief and may be a person’s only
option during meetings or while travelling. It is also good to follow some sort of exercise
routine which will keep the patient healthy as well provide long term relief from this
problem.
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10. Medications used in treating Restless Leg Syndrome
Medication is usually the last option that shall be tried by a person suffering from RLS. It is
always advised to first treat any underlying condition of RLS such as iron deficiency or
peripheral neuropathy. If no such conditions are present then the treatment should focus
on lifestyle modifications. In the last resort when these are also not effective, one may opt
for pharmacologic methods.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved of two medications for the treatment
of Restless Leg Syndrome. These are:
1. Pramipexole – Brand Name is Mirapex
2. Ropinirole – Brand Name is Requip
These medications were originally developed to treat Parkinson’s disease. These drugs
increase the amount of Dopamine in the brain which leads to reduction in the motion of
legs. The short term side effects of these medications are usually mild such as nausea,
lightheadedness and fatigue.
Some other medications which are used in treating RLS include the following;
1. Pain Killers such as Codeine, Vicodin, Lortab etc. These can provide relief in cases of
severe and continuous pain. However these pills are addictive and should not be taken
regularly. These may also cause nausea, constipation and dizziness etc.
2. Muscle Relaxants such as Klonipin, Halcion, Ambien etc. These pills can help you sleep
better at night but they do not eliminate the leg sensations. The side effects include
daytime drowsiness.
3. Anti Seizure Medications such as Neurontin, Tegretol, Epitol etc. These can be taken to
reduce painful daytime symptoms of RLS. The side effects include dizziness and
drowsiness.
It is important to be aware that no single medication is effective for everyone. In fact the
medicine that works for one person may worsen the symptoms in others. Moreover these
medicines lose their efficacy with time. It may take several trials for a patient and for the
doctor to find the right medicine and correct dosage which is effective in the long term.
Restless leg syndrome information

11. Importance of good sleep in Restless Leg Syndrome
RLS is so closely associated with sleep disorders that it is sometimes placed in the same
category as Insomnia. A good night’s sleep is vitally important for everybody. It recharges a
person’s battery and provides energy for all their daily activities. A person suffering from
RLS suffers from frequent disruptions of sleep. While trying to sleep the feelings of itching,
burning and crawling start growing in the legs and a person is left with no choice but to get
up and move about. Although this may provide some temporary relief but the sensations
may return as soon as the person is in the bed.
The problem of sleep deprivation interferes with the brain’s ability to process information.
This slows down the thought process and affects a person’s concentration and ability to
learn. This has a profound effect on their efficiency and task performance. In severe cases
this condition may result to industrial errors and vehicle crashes. The lack of sleep can also
have a negative effect on a person’s mood and behavior. Such individuals are generally
found to be easily irritated, volatile, depressed and complaining of reduced libido.
One of the important things that a patient of RLS must do is to make sleep a priority in life.
It has been observed that a regular sleep pattern can help in reducing disruptions. Retiring
to bed at a fixed time, putting in enough hours and then getting up at a regular time is very
important in ensuring good night’s sleep. For RLS patients, it may also be advisable to
change their sleep cycle so as to get up late in the morning. It will be helpful to maintain a
sleep diary, wherein a record of diet, medication, sleep habits and disruptions can be
maintained. This dairy can help the doctor in making required changes to help you sleep
better.
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