As you can probably tell by the name of this condition, it is typified by relentless movement of the legs. This can happen while awake or asleep, whether you are lying down, standing or sitting.
Your doctor will diagnose you with RLS after talking to you about your symptoms. If you have an uncomfortable feeling like "pins and needles" in your legs, or feel like something is crawling on your skin, these are also classic RLS symptoms.
In mild cases, you may be able to live your entire life with restless leg syndrome without seeking the help of a medical professional. In severe cases, this condition can dramatically and significantly damage your quality of life.
Whether you have heard of RLS or not, it is rather common, occurring in about 10% of the population. This issue is more frequently found in women than men, it can affect children as well as adults, and is most commonly diagnosed in people who have passed middle-age.
Chronic diseases, iron deficiency, some medications and pregnancy are a few of the attributed causes of this frustrating and potentially debilitating health problem.
Treating RLS Naturally
Your holistic practioner will probably recommend simple lifestyle changes that naturally treat and even cure RLS.
Nicotine has a known causal relationship with restless leg syndrome. That means you have one more really good reason to stop smoking. Caffeine and alcohol are also linked to RLS, and can aggravate symptoms.
One simple way to treat restless leg syndrome is to develop a regular sleep schedule. In several clinical studies, people with RLS were found to have poor sleep habits. When you do not get enough rest regularly, moving through the entire sleep cycle, this promotes the development of sleep-associated conditions like RLS. Once you display symptoms of RLS, following poor sleep habits can make your symptoms worse.
Apply Both Heat and Cold
An alternate application of heat and cold to the affected area can relieve leg pain associated with some cases of RLS. If you suffer from restless leg syndrome, you may find that hot or cold compresses offer more relief, but in many cases, switching from one to the other does the trick.
You may also hire a massage therapist to give your legs a professional massage, or simply massage your leg muscles yourself.
Moderate Exercise Helps
You don't want to overdo things here. Moderation is the key. Avoid strenuous exercise and physical activity, but make sure you are enjoying some type of exercise each and every day. Some people with RLS find that a 30-minute brisk walk before bedtime has a significant and positive impact on symptoms.
Deficiencies in magnesium, iron and many of the B vitamins is also linked to higher cases of restless legs syndrome, so supplementing those nutrients daily is a simple, natural way to treat this condition. It’s also important to add foods rich in magnesium to your diet. Foods such as nuts, bananas, avocados, dark leafy greens and fish are great food sources to help relieve RLS symptoms.