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Restless Leg Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms And Home Medication For Restless Leg Syndrome

What is Restless Leg Syndrome ?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder in which a person has unpleasant feelings or sensations in the legs. These feelings are described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful. Moving your legs is great exercise, but most people do it during the day. For those with restless leg syndrome, however, their legs really get moving at night, and that can be a real problem.

Doctors aren't sure what causes restless leg syndrome but the symptoms are well-known. Shortly after going bed, people with this condition will begin having ache in their legs. Some people describe a pins-and-need sensation. Others say they feel as though bugs are running around underneath the skin. The sensations can maddening, and the only way to get relief is to twitch kick the legs, or get up and walk around. And this go on all night.

Causes of Restless Leg Syndrome

In most cases, the cause of Restless Leg Syndrome is unknown. A family history of the condition is seen in approximately 50 percent of such cases, suggesting a genetic form of the disorder. Some of the common causes of Restless Leg Syndrome includes :-

• Chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy are associated with RLS. Treating the underlying condition often provides relief from Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms.
• People with low iron levels or anemia may be prone to developing Restless Leg Syndrome . Once iron levels or anemia is corrected, patients may see a reduction in symptoms.
• Some women get Restless Leg Syndrome during pregnancy, especially in the last 3 months. But the symptoms usually go away about 4 weeks after having the baby.

Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

The only thing that seems to relieve the discomfort is to move the legs, stretching them or getting up and walking around on them. Unfortunately, this interrupts the sleep cycle, so people with Restless Leg Syndrome are often very tired from lack of sleep. Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms are not the same for every person. Some common symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome includes :-

• Having leg and sometimes arm movements when sleeping that you can't control.
• Sleepiness or tiredness during the day.
• Leg discomfort that occurs and gets worse when lying down or sitting for long periods of time. Long car trips, sitting in the movies, long-distance flights, and having a cast on can trigger RLS.
• Unpleasant or uncomfortable feelings or sensations in the legs often described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling or painful, often producing an irresistible urge to move the legs.

Home medication for the treatment of Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome isn't dangerous, but it can badly disrupt your sleep - as well as that of your bedmate. To keep your legs a little calmer. Here are some home remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome.

• Give your muscles a rub. When your legs tingle at night, reach down and give them a vigorous massage. It won't prevent the problem, but it may ease the ,discomfort.
• Take a warm bath. Taking a warm bath before bedtime can help ease the discomfort of restless legs. In fact, anything you can do to relax your body and mind may help your legs stay calmer.
• Teach your legs to relax. Some people have found that a technique called progressive relaxation, in which each of the body's muscles are relaxed one at a time, can help ease restless legs. Here's how it works. While you're lying in bed, breathe deeply for a few minutes. Then, starting at your feet and working upward to your head, tense each muscle for a few seconds, then relax slowly. Take your time. By time you've reached the top of your head, your whole body will feel warm and relaxed and your legs may be less restless, as well.
• Taking supplements to increase iron and magnesium in the body.