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.
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.
Try A Tonic. Drinking a 6-ounce glass of tonic water each night before bed might calm your restless legs. Tonic water contains quinine, which stops repeated muscle contractions. Some people say even a sip or two before bed helps.
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.
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.
“The most common RLS triggers are prescription and over-the-counter medications,” Dr. Buchfuhrer says. Because they block dopamine, the worst culprits include: Over-the-counter antihistamines, cold and allergy medications (Sudafed, Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer, Benadryl)
Vitamins C and E and their combination are safe and effective treatments for reducing the severity of RLS in hemodialysis patients over the short term according to a study in PubMed. This combination seemed to help hemodialysis patients with RLS.
Rotigotine (Neupro) and pramipexole (Mirapex) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS .
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.
Does having RLS increase the risk of developing PD? Since RLS affects as much as 4-10% of the US adult population, it is clear that the vast majority of those with RLS do not ever develop PD. Despite this, it still might be the case that RLS increases the risk of subsequently developing PD.
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.
Taking Magnesium at Night or Before Bed
It helps to relax your muscles, and nerves while facilitating the release of melatonin — the sleep hormone. People who have Restless Leg Syndrome rely on Natural Calm before bed to relieve their condition. Natural Calm magnesium can become a soothing nighttime ritual.
The top three foods to avoid are chocolate, sugary sodas, and fried foods. Additionally, you will also want to avoid any foods or beverages that contain caffeine, since this can stimulate your nerves and make your symptoms more severe. These include coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate.
Does Restless Legs Syndrome Ever Go Away by Itself? There are some cases of restless legs syndrome disappearing on its own. But this is rare. Instead, for most people symptoms get worse over time.
The cause of restless legs syndrome in most cases is unknown. Research shows that affected people often have too little or malfunctioning iron in the brain. “We also know that there's some problem with the dopamine system, and patients often have a good response to dopamine medicine,” says Allen.
Dopamine-Related Medications
The dopamine-related drugs include levodopa, pramipexole, ropinirole and rotigotine. These drugs are also used for Parkinson's disease. However, there is no indication that RLS is related to, or is a precursor of, Parkinson's disease.
Restlessness can be from stimulating medications, stopping medications, or drinking too much caffeine in a day. Hormonal imbalances, neurologic problems, pain, or mental health conditions can also cause restlessness.
Iron deficiency has been shown to be an important risk factor and to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of RLS. It has been demonstrated that RLS severity is negatively correlated with serum ferritin levels,27 even within normal laboratory ranges, and that symptoms improve with iron treatment.
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.
Left untreated, the condition causes exhaustion and daytime fatigue, as well as sleep deprivation, depression, travel difficulties, memory impairment, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia. Because of lack of sleep, children and some adults may be very drowsy, irritable, and aggressive during daytime hours.