Restless legs syndrome can interrupt your sleep with tingly, itchy pain -- and leave you miserably sleepy the next day. Though symptoms tend to be worse at night, the pain and discomfort also can affect you during the day, making life difficult if you have to travel or you have a sit-down job. A few diet and nutrition strategies might help you deal with restless legs syndrome, although your doctor also may recommend medication and lifestyle remedies.
Cause and Symptoms
The cause of restless legs syndrome, or RLS, is uncertain. It might be linked to an imbalance of the brain chemical dopamine, and you're more likely to develop RLS if it runs in your family. You get some relief from the unpleasant "restless" feeling if you get up and move around. It's more common in women and older people, and pregnant women may develop it temporarily. According to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, people typically describe the sensation as creeping, itching, pulling, crawly, tugging and gnawing.
Foods and Drinks
Alcohol can trigger restless legs symptoms, so avoiding alcoholic drinks is one step that might lessen your suffering. MayoClinic.com advises that eliminating or caffeine from your diet also might be worth a try, because caffeine seems to aggravate symptoms in some people. Keep in mind that caffeine is found not only in coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks, but in candy and other foods containing chocolate.
Dietary Supplements
Correcting nutritional deficiencies, especially iron deficiency, is another strategy that might help relieve RLS symptoms. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements, because some may interfere with other medications. Your doctor can order blood tests to establish whether you have a deficiency that can be treated with a supplement -- for example, iron, folic acid, vitamin B or magnesium. A healthy overall diet may help reduce your need for medications, the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation suggests.
Other Solutions
Most medications prescribed to treat RLS were developed to treat other ailments, such as Parkinson's disease. Drugs your doctor may recommend include some that affect dopamine levels, opioids and other painkillers, muscle relaxants, sedatives and some epilepsy medications. Try doing some activities, such as reading, while standing rather than sitting. Other things that might help include moderate exercise, yoga and stretching, massage, acupressure, hot or cold baths, relaxation techniques and getting involved in an RLS support group.
