Restless Leg Syndrome is a unique condition that affects a smaller percentage of people compared to many other ailments. As the name implies, a person with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) feels an uncontrollable urge to move the leg every now and then. This can happen both when the person is awake or also when he/she is asleep.
RLS can be caused by genetic factors, other ailments, or some medications. RLS cannot be cured and one has to live with it for rest of his/her life. However, its symptoms can be easily managed and kept under control through medication, lifestyle changes, and certain home remedies. But, if left untreated, or ignored, symptoms can worsen over time and greatly affect the person’s quality of sleep. Disturbed sleep in turn causes a whole lot of other complications, so it’s good to be aware of RLS and take medical help on time.
It is not known exactly why some people develop RLS. It may be related to how the brain processes dopamine, a neurotransmitter that our brain uses to send messages between nerve cells. In that sense, RLS can be treated as a nervous system disorder. RLS may have also got to do with how our body processes iron.
There are various risk factors for RLS:
Periodic Leg Movement Disorder (PLMD) or Periodic Leg Movement in Sleep (PLMS) is a related sleep disorder. In this, the person shakes or twitches the leg uncontrollably or involuntarily during sleep. The person may wake up in the night a couple of times which affects his/her quality of sleep. People with PLMD/PLMS are at a high risk of developing RLS.
Medications: There are many categories of drugs given to treat RLS and the doctor may prescribe one or more of them depending on the patient’s unique situation. These include Dopaminergic drugs, which affect the levels of dopamine in the person’s brain, dopamine agonists, alpha 2 agonists, Benzodiazepines, a type of sedative that helps the person sleep better at night, Opioids or Narcotic pain relievers that can relieve mild to severe symptoms, anticonvulsant or anti-seizure drugs that can help reduce involuntary twitches and jerks, drugs affecting calcium channels and iron supplements.
Lifestyle changes: The person must totally abstain from, or at least cut down on alcohol consumption, caffeine, and tobacco use (cigarette smoking or other means). The person will also be advised to exercise regularly and at moderate intensity (heavy exercise can worsen RLS symptoms). He or she should also try relaxation techniques that help reduce stress such as yoga, meditation, and tai chi.
Sleep Hygiene: The person must practice healthy sleeping habits for a good night’s sleep. This includes various dos and don’ts. A sleep specialist at a reputed hospital can guide the patient on this.
Healthy diet: Since iron deficiency is a risk factor for RLS, it’s good to consume an iron-rich diet that comprises one or more dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and fenugreek, peas and beans, dried fruit, red meat, poultry, seafood, and iron-fortified cereals, pasta, or bread. Since Vitamin C is required to absorb iron from the food into the body, the diet must comprise one or more: vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, and leafy greens; fruits such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, melons, kiwis, and strawberries.
Home remedies: Warm baths, leg massages, ice or hot packs on the legs all help relax the muscles and reduce RLS symptoms. A vibrating pad and foot wraps that apply pressure on the feet also relieve RLS symptoms.
If you or any of your dear ones are displaying any of the symptoms listed above, do not ignore the same, and do not panic. Consult a reputed hospital. These hospitals have some of the best neurologists and sleep specialists in town, on their rolls. These specialists will diagnose your condition precisely and design a course of treatment for quick recovery and rehabilitation.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
