Find ways to control your RLS by talking with your doctor.
Restless leg syndrome (RLS or nocturnal myoclonus) is a condition that causes you to feel as if you need to move your legs. An attack of restless leg may also include other sensations such as pain, tingling and feeling as if something is crawling under the skin of your legs. RLS occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults, and the cause is not typically known. Because the syndrome most often occurs when you lie down at night, making sleep difficult, or when you've been sitting for long periods, you can explore ways of controlling the condition.
Substances to Avoid
You may be vulnerable to RLS as an inherited condition, which means you'll need to avoid caffeinated beverages such as sodas and coffee. Steer clear of alcoholic beverages, even though the link between RLS and these beverages is not known. If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, try to cut down on your use or eliminate your habit completely.
Good Health Habits
Exercise might be helpful. Leg stretches, running in place, walking or riding a bicycle can help to bring your RLS symptoms under control. Begin by adding a short exercise session in the morning and monitor your symptoms. If you notice an improvement, gradually add gentle exercise in the evening. Get sufficient sleep every night; while RLS can disturb your sleep, if you begin practicing additional good health habits, it may become easier for you to sleep through the night.
Stress Reduction
You live with stress every day, but if your stress levels are too high, they can exacerbate your symptoms of RLS. Identify your stressors and reduce them as much as possible. Soak in a warm, but not a hot, bath, which may help you relax sufficiently so you can sleep without feeling the pain or crawling sensations. Massage your calves and legs to help reduce any pain you may be experiencing. Occupy your mind with brain games such as Sudoku, crossword puzzles and word scramble puzzles. When you keep your mind active, you have less time to dwell on your particular RLS symptoms.
Effective Prescription Medications
Prescription medications with sedative or hypnotic effects can reduce your brain's messages to the nerves in your legs. Other medications that work to increase levels of dopamine in your brain may also help. If your RLS symptoms include pain in your legs, prescription pain medications may help to control your symptoms. Depending on your particular case, anti-seizure medications might help treat your symptoms.
Behavioral Treatments
If you do not want to rely on prescription medications, ask your doctor about behavioral therapy. Discuss the possibility of undergoing biofeedback or relaxation therapy. By using non-medication therapies, you may be able to help yourself relax the nerves in your legs, which will help reduce the symptoms.
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