People with RLS often have low levels of iron in their blood. Your body needs iron to make dopamine, a brain chemical that helps control movement. Ask your doctor whether an iron supplement might help you. If so, take it with a glass of orange juice or another source of vitamin C to help your body absorb the iron.
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.
Dopamine. There's evidence to suggest restless legs syndrome is related to a problem with part of the brain called the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia uses a chemical (neurotransmitter) called dopamine to help control muscle activity and movement.
Diet for Restless Leg Syndrome
Incorporate a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet with an emphasis on dark leafy greens. Eat a variety of iron-rich foods like lean meat. Include seeds, tree nuts, and legumes in your diet. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and fried foods that may make you gain weight.
In most cases, the cause of RLS is unknown (called primary RLS). However, RLS has a genetic component and can be found in families where the onset of symptoms is before age 40. Specific gene variants have been associated with RLS. Evidence indicates that low levels of iron in the brain also may be responsible for RLS.
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.
Forms and doses
For adolescent and adult men and women, daily doses of 270-350 mg are considered safe. Talk to a medical professional about the proper dosage for you. Magnesium sulfate can be administered via IV, though the oral supplement would likely be used instead for treating RLS.
Conclusion: This study indicates that vitamin D supplementation improves the severity of RLS symptoms and advocates that vitamin D deficiency is conceivably associated with RLS.
One study found that magnesium can help with insomnia and sleep problems caused by RLS, and another that magnesium did indeed provide some relief for certain RLS patients. In some cases, magnesium deficiency is thought to cause RLS, and a deficiency of this key mineral can certainly aggravate RLS symptoms.
Better You Magnesium Sleep Body Spray previously known as Magnesium Oil Goodnight Spray is a unique combination of magnesium oil and an essential oil blend to help promote deep muscle relaxation, aleviate restless legs syndrome, promote a sense of wellbeing and enhance peaceful sleep.
Chinese herbal medicine Radix Paeoniae Alba is one of the most commonly used Chinese medicines for the treatment of RLS.
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.
Dopamine is involved in controlling muscle movement and may be responsible for the involuntary leg movements associated with restless legs syndrome. In some cases, restless legs syndrome is caused by an underlying health condition, such as iron deficiency anaemia or kidney failure.
There's no cure for RLS. But if you have the disorder, lifestyle changes and medication can help improve your quality of life. The goals of RLS treatment are to prevent or relieve symptoms, improve sleep, and correct underlying conditions or habits that trigger or worsen RLS symptoms.
Don't try melatonin
Melatonin also inhibits the secretion of dopamine, which makes it bad news for restless legs syndrome patients. It might increase RLS symptoms in the evening and night, according to researchers at Sacre-Coeur Hospital in Montreal.
A number of medications can make RLS worse. In particular, anti-nausea drugs and sedating antihistamines (like Benadryl) block the brain's dopamine receptors, causing restless legs symptoms. Antidepressants that increase serotonin and antipsychotic medications can also aggravate the condition.
These sensations can last for an hour or longer, slowly increasing in severity. While the sensations are most often bilateral, some patients experience them only on one side of the body. The most common time for RLS to occur is at night when the person lies down to sleep.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. It typically happens in the evening or nighttime hours when you're sitting or lying down. Moving eases the unpleasant feeling temporarily.
Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be helpful in somepeople with RLS. The medications most commonly prescribed for restless legs syndrome are dopaminergic agents and gabapentin.
Drug treatments
Paracetamol: Although there is not a lot of research looking at the role of paracetamol in treating RLS, it is something people often try, and many find helpful.
Take a warm shower or bath before bedtime. Try a mindful activity before bedtime, such as reading a book or doing a crossword puzzle. Take a quick walk before bed. Try lightly massaging your legs before you sleep.